Mobile Phones' Impact On Sexual Relations

from the in-many-different-ways dept

Tue, Jul 25th 2006 3:07am — Mike Masnick

Last year, we wrote about how many people in Germany choose not to turn off their mobile phones during sex (you know, in case something more important happens). A similar study just concluded in the UK found that even more people in the UK feel it's okay to leave it on while they get it on. Of course, this study also dug deeper into other areas, and discovered that the mobile phone has become an important part of a sexual relationship these days, whether it's just flirting by phone or, for some, sending sexually explicit text and photos. On the flip side, about one-fifth of those surveyed had sent or received a text message designed to end a relationship. There are also some uses of mobile phones in relationships that may not be quite as obvious -- such as the large number of women who use mobile phones to deter men from approaching them. Amusingly, five years ago, we had written about a study saying that men used phones as a mating call, to show off to women. It sounds like there may be some mixed signals between the sexes.

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35 Comments

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Mark, 25 Jul 2006 @ 3:01am

Hmm....
Let's be careful about jumping to conclusions. In the old days of landline telephones, I don't believe most people took the phone off the hook or unplugged it during sex - at least not all the time. So, not turning off a cell phone (basically the same behavior) is not so odd. What would be odd would be people answering the phone / cell phone during sex or, even odder, not answering the landline but answering the cell phone.
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chris, 25 Jul 2006 @ 3:46am

it does have mobile in it
I love my treo 700.

(wanted to post a comment at the same depth as the article)
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 3:56am

Re: it does have mobile in it
you succeeded
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:04am

Treo...
It's OK to love your Treo as long as you don't "LOOOOVE" your Treo.
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MrPaladin, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:16am

Bad Pick up lines
So whats a nice Razr like you doing in a T-Mobile store like this?
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moe, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:20am

Nothing to see here ...
As you mentioned in your first article on this in Germany, the question should be, "Do you answer your mobile phone when having sex?" The way mobile phones are made today, the batteries last for days. I never turn my phone off -- I'm not accessible 24/7, I just don't need to turn it off so it never happens. This is equivalent to asking if they disconnect their landline phones from the telephone-jack before having sex.

This isn't news.
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JustMe, 25 Jul 2006 @ 4:52am

Amazing how capitalism turned walkie-talkies into a part of human culture. Honey, would you please pass the condom...
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Wolfger, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:18am

Re: Nothing to see here ...
Right. Now if they make or take calls in coitus, then *that* is newsworthy...
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rahrens, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:20am

phone off
Actually, one thing they should have tried to determine was - how many people didn't think to turn the phone off cause the phone ended up on the floor with the clothes, and the sex was too good to interrupt?

But I agree with Moe, I never turn mine off except during meetings or in a restaurant with friends. At home, where my wife and I tend to be intimate, the phone often ends up in another room anyway, so, who cares? The answering machine function will catch the call... and if they don't leave a message, their number's in the call log.
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ibeetle, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:33am

Paris does it.
If you are one of the million or so people who have not downloaded the Paris Hilton sex tape you will see her interrupt her sex romp to take a phone call.

Screw stoping sex to take a call. I think it would be cool to continue to have sex while on the phone.

Now that takes concentration.

Although it would be a bit creepy haveing sex with your partner while talking to your mom.
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s, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:36am

the phone is missing out
Since they have given most mobiles the vibrate feature, I've been waiting for when the phone to get involved during sex as a companion. Truly then it will have impact on sexual relations more than ever!
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:46am

My high school girlfriend actually enjoyed me going down on her while she was on the phone, especially when she was talking to her mother... Is that wierd?
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tamurlane6, 25 Jul 2006 @ 5:50am

sex on the phone
I must say that i've had the same experience. It was almost a game to see who could make the other lose it while talking on the phone.
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:28am

Re: Nothing to see here ...
"This is equivalent to asking if they disconnect their landline phones from the telephone-jack before having sex.

This isn't news."

YES, actually this is news, because you see, people used to take their phones off the hook to have sex. This another step in the decline of the sensuality of sex. And it IS important that we as a society know the direction our society is heading in.

However, your ignorant post is definitely not worth reading, so you got your own subject right at least.
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diddy, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:31am

its all about.
The unexpected phone vibration can come in handy tho!
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:46am

Re:
> My high school girlfriend actually enjoyed me going down
> on her while she was on the phone, especially when she
> was talking to her mother... Is that wierd?

Not weird at all -- she loved it when I did that to her, too.
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?, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:51am

Re: Nothing to see here ...
Of course, you don't get laid, so you really have no reason to turn it off in the first place.
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Lisa, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:57am

The Last Thing
"Amusingly, five years ago, we had written about a study saying that men used phones as a mating call, to show off to women."

Unfortunately i think this is quite the opposite. Sure I am a nerd and if I see someone with a cool phone I may go up to them, but I believe the majority of women who see men on his phone or texting would look the other way. Guys on phones aren't that impressive. And who knows that guy just may be on the phone or texting his girl.
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Tara, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:58am

sound off
Hopefully thier cell phones are at least on vibrate during their more intimate moments ... that could at least make things intersting ;)
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moe, 25 Jul 2006 @ 7:21am

Some anonymous coware wrote:

"YES, actually this is news, because you see, people used to take their phones off the hook to have sex. This another step in the decline of the sensuality of sex. And it IS important that we as a society know the direction our society is heading in."

You raise a good point that I hadn't considered. Of course, your high-school antics at the end of your post add nothing to your point, or the discussion as a whole.

OT: Has Techdirt become just another site for immature teenagers to lash out? Because I weep for society if some of these posts are coming from "adults" (see the 2 responses to my post).
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Andyware, 25 Jul 2006 @ 7:45am

This is news?
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James, 25 Jul 2006 @ 7:52am

Re:
"OT: Has Techdirt become just another site for immature teenagers to lash out? Because I weep for society if some of these posts are coming from "adults" (see the 2 responses to my post)."

I agree... I have been disappointed in the childish flaming I have seen on this page. Usually I can read insightful objective responses that actually make me think.
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Pedro Machado, 25 Jul 2006 @ 8:12am

Re: the phone is missing out
I once saw a rubber apliance that works as a cover for the phone and that as a dildo on the other end. So... When the phone vibrates that other end vibrates as well...

Maybe you should look for this "apliance"...LOL
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chris (profile), 25 Jul 2006 @ 8:58am

how about mobile phone blunders...
of a sexual nature.

if you dial the wrong number you can always play it off, if you send a dirty text message to the wrong person, that is a little tougher to play off.

before i got a flip phone i was really bad to putting my phone in my pocket unlocked and it would call my wife from time to time... imagine if this happened when you were in the act.
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Celes, 25 Jul 2006 @ 9:05am

Re: how about mobile phone blunders...
...Well, if the only person it called was your wife, it shouldn't matter because she should be there with you, right?

Right?

I'm feeling really old-fashioned...
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Sanguine Dream, 25 Jul 2006 @ 9:12am

Re: Paris does it.

Screw stoping sex to take a call. I think it would be cool to continue to have sex while on the phone.

Now that takes concentration.

Try having some call you while she is having sex. Thats creepy.
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Sanguine Dream, 25 Jul 2006 @ 9:31am

Re: the phone is missing out
I'm sure if you get those XL condoms you could put a cell phone in it and tie up the end of it (so it wont fall out). Then put the "toy" in the opening of choice and call yourself from another phone. Of course if anyone else sees you're phone bill...
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 10:04am

I always have my cell phone near me during sex, because sometimes, its nice to talk to the wife.
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Kai Phillips, 25 Jul 2006 @ 11:05am

I think this article brings a whole new meaning to the term "phone sex." ;)

Even though this is just one more tool to incorporate into a very physically stimulating moment.. I don't think that mobile phones REALLY impact sex that much.

I mean, c'mon, if anyone has actually had sex, and if its really THAT good, nothing will deter you from your goal.
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ElectricMayhem, 25 Jul 2006 @ 11:34am

Phone sex
of course all the above presupposes that a. you have a mobile phone and b. you have sex.......
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ElectricMayhem, 25 Jul 2006 @ 11:37am

Phone sex
and just how many of you dialed into this thread because of the mention of sex and phones?

Mmmmmm....thought so.....but hey.....it's a valid topic so why not? NOT
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Jul 2006 @ 11:38am

The point of the article...just maybe?
I have to say, I agree with Moe...
"OT: Has Techdirt become just another site for immature teenagers to lash out? Because I weep for society if some of these posts are coming from "adults" (see the 2 responses to my post)."

Instead of looking at the intent or point of the article most of these responses are crude jokes about sexual preferences and infidelity. And while it may not have been the most in-depth story it truly frightens me that so few people that posted took any meaning other than an excuse to be vulgar. Its possible the writer was trying to point out that most people live such a fast paced lives that contact is needed 24/7. Maybe he was pointing out that the cell phone is now used as a tool for all forms of communication, including sexual. He could have even been trying to comment on how sex is present in society, via advertising, entertainment (TV & movies), and now mobile communication as well. Or as an anonymous coward wrote "another step in the decline of the sensuality of sex".
And just one more thought, “immature teenagers” moe? True, there are teenagers that are immature, but there are just as many adults that seem to act the same way. It always seems that the words teenager and immature are brought up when people feel others are acting unintelligent or crude. Those behaviors are people issues, not just teenagers.
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chris, 25 Jul 2006 @ 2:37pm

again
I love my Treo 700... not "that way".. it barely vibrates...

(see first post for comedic reference unless your the last poster and then you would to high brow to get it)
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Mischa, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:34pm

Re: The Last Thing
You missed the last sentence. It is amusing because women are using a cell phone to try to deter men while the men are using it to try to attract women.
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Mischa, 25 Jul 2006 @ 6:41pm

Re: Re: Nothing to see here ...
Really? People actually unplug their landline phone before having sex? I've never heard of anyone doing that before.

I think they asked the wrong question. I wouldn't turn my cellphone off either. I might turn off the ringer but I wouldn't turn off the phone.
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