Survey Finds 62 Percent Of People Plan To Reduce Use Of Technology To Spend More Time With Friends And Family

DE SOTO, Kan., June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To further explore a topic that has been garnering national attention, the CHINET® brand recently commissioned a survey* to find out more about social behavior as it relates to connecting with friends and family through digital communications versus in-person social interaction. The survey suggests people have a strong desire to connect more in person and that many are choosing real-life social interaction over virtual.  More than 60 percent of respondents plan to reduce the use of technology and social media in order to engage in more face-to-face social activity.

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The digital age has significantly affected the way in which people communicate and connect. Additional survey findings are as follows:

• More than 90 percent of people indicated they use digital communication more often for at least one type of social interaction that has traditionally been face-to-face, such as asking someone on a date, playing a board game or getting advice.
• The average number of "online connections" is 275; however, only 11 percent of those connections were actually seen in person over the past three months.
• Almost 60 percent of total time spent connecting with loved ones is done so through technology or social media.
• An average of 23 hours a week is spent communicating with others through technology or social media.
• When asked what is missed most from social interaction occurring digitally, 86 percent said they miss spending time together that is meaningful, followed by 84 percent who miss feeling warmth and strong satisfaction after being with people they enjoy.
• Nearly 75 percent of people are interested in hosting or attending more in-person get-togethers over the next year.
• Playing games with others online takes place at least once a week for 50 percent of people.

The survey results corroborate the shift that American culture has experienced over the past several years as reported by many national studies and psychologists. People are extraordinarily "connected" yet disconnected more than ever. The CHINET® brand is bringing the topic to light by reminding consumers that the most important connections still happen face-to-face. The brand is encouraging those that are disconnected to "rediscover the lost art of getting together." 

"Social occasions have always been at the core of the CHINET® brand," says Paul Huckins, vice president of the retail division for Huhtamaki, the makers of the CHINET® brand. "Obviously, technology is an important part of our lives but as the survey shows, the value of face-to-face connections cannot be replaced. Whether it's a casual game night with friends or a simple family picnic in the park, we are here to help make it easier for people to spend more time together."

Through the brand's "Lost Art" advertising campaign and website, www.mychinet.com/lostart, consumers are asked to remember a time when being social drove people to houses not homepages, doorbells rang more often than cell phones and neighborhoods found the time to be more neighborly. Visitors to the website are invited to tour "The Lost Art Exhibit" featuring traditional social gatherings captured in time, along with quick and easy entertaining tips that showcase ways in which any get-together can be affordable, stress-free and fun.

*Editor's Note: Survey was conducted by The Buntin Group and Survey Sampling International (SSI). To view the full report, please visit www.mychinet.com/lostart.

About the CHINET® Brand
The CHINET® brand, leading manufacturer of premium disposable tableware made in America since the 1930s, is based in De Soto, Kan. The CHINET® brand family of products includes Classic White™ plates, bowls, napkins and tablecovers, Cut Crystal® cups and plates, Comfort Cup® by CHINET® insulated hot cups and lids, CHINET®  Bakeware® baking pans, COLORS by CHINET® plates and premium plastic plates, cups and bowls. CHINET® products are environmentally-friendly, either made from recycled materials, biodegradable in home composting or recyclable. For more information, please visit www.mychinet.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacey Wilson
(615) 244-5720 | [email protected]

SOURCE CHINET® Brand