A new study shows that almost half of mobile device owners in the United States have broken or lost their devices.
On average, phone owners have either broken or even lost two devices.
Millennials have a higher number of dropping incidences as compared to Gen Xers or Baby Boomers. According to the study, millennials drop their devices on an average of two times a week, which makes up over 200 falls a year.
The study, which was conducted by Verizon and KRC Research, also compared the number of times that the devices got broken or were lost between parents or those who have kids and then those who don't have kids. It seemed like parents with kids are more likely to break their phone or lose it by more than 1.5 times.
With more than 1,000 phone owners covered in the survey, it was also found that a higher percentage of users have broken their phones in the most "unique" way that made them earn the "recognition" of belonging to the "Worst Phone Owners in the United States."
When the users were asked with the question "What is the most embarrassing way you or someone you know has broken or lost their mobile phone," they gave the following responses.
"My friend dropped her phone in the foot bath while getting a pedicure."
"Went in the ocean for a swim with phone in swimsuit pocket."
"When I was texting at the mall, I fell into a water fall."
"A friend of mine had her mobile phone in one hand and a ball in another one. She was supposed to throw the ball to her child in the swimming pool and she threw the cell phone!!!"
"My brother dropped his phone in the toilet while he was going to the bathroom and texting."
"Threw it at the wall after the New York giants lost their 6th game in a row."
It turned out that the top responses involved owners dropping their devices in water (43 percent); sending their device through the wash (42 percent); throwing their devices (22 percent); finding their pet chewing the device (20 percent); dropping their devices out of a window (20 percent) and tripping and landing on the device (20 percent).
Most mobile phone owners also seem to avoid taking responsibility to whatever happens to their devices. One out of three device owners would usually decide to just replace their phones as a way to "escape" from explaining to anyone about what actually happened. Then when they do try to explain, about 14 percent would simply lie about how the device was broken.
Though a number of manufacturers have created innovative mobile phone cases that promise to keep one's phone protected from accidental drops, there are times when these things may not be enough.
Verizon is giving its customers until March 10 to sign up for its Total Mobile Protection program, which includes comprehensive coverage for device losses and theft along with physical or water damage. The company also encourages users to access their Verizon Support and Protection (VSP) app, which offers one-tap access to its tech support service.
