Zoosk Supports "Cell Phone Courtesy Month" With a National PSA Message, as Survey Reveals 1 In 3 Singles Are Fed Up With Mobile Rudeness

SAN FRANCISCO, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Cell Phone Courtesy Month this month, Zoosk, the popular social dating community, has launched a national movement to help singles manage their cell phone addictions.  Zoosk recently conducted a survey to see what singles think about cell phone usage as it relates to dating. Results show that while cell phones are a necessary component to dating, many singles are fed up with what they consider rude cell phone behavior and one third of singles have actually walked out of a date due to the other person's offensive cell phone etiquette. To raise awareness among singles about the dangers of bad cell phone manners, Zoosk has also created a short public service announcement available to view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sma4wNdF1rw.

"While many singles rely on mobile apps such as Zoosk's to find a date, our survey uncovered the unwritten rules of mobile-phone use that are clearly being abused," says Alex Mehr, co-founder and co-CEO of Zoosk. "We are surprised to hear that flagrantly reckless cell phone behavior has driven one third of singles to actually get up and excuse themselves from a date altogether. It's our hope that singles follow proper cell phone etiquette to ensure that a mobile faux pas doesn't 'cell' their date short."

Zoosk's survey findings include:

• One third of singles give up when they have to compete for attention with a mobile phone.
  • 33% of singles say they have left a date early because the other person was "too absorbed with their cell phone."
• Biggest cell phone offense? "Constantly glancing at your cell phone" takes the top spot. 
  • 86% of singles say "constantly glancing at a cell phone" is the most offensive cell phone-related behavior during a date, worse than sending a text message (73% of singles think this is rude) or taking a call (51% of singles think this is offensive).
• Women are more likely than men to dump someone via text message.
  • 25% of women have dumped a guy via text, whereas only 15% of men have taken that route.
• Not everybody thinks that cell phone usage is offensive on a date.
  • Perhaps it's a sign of the times that 25% of singles are okay with their date being distracted by his or her cell phone during a date.
• Hearing your date's voice is still sexier than receiving a text.
  • 73% of singles want to receive a voice mail so they can hear their date's voice.
  • While only 27% of singles prefer to receive a text message and
• There's nothing less sexy than an annoying ringtone.
  • 49% of singles say an "annoying or obnoxious ringtone" is the least sexy cell phone accessory, followed by a Bluetooth headset (26%), a cell phone belt clip (17%), and ugly faceplates (8%).
• Younger singles say yes, older singles say no to sharing photos from a date on Facebook.
  • Only 35% of singles under the age of 30 have a problem with their date taking and later posting photos to Facebook or Twitter.
  • 55% of singles age 31+ say they would be upset to learn a date had posted photos from the date to a social networking site.
• "Check in" when you arrive at a date? Zoosk singles say you shouldn't.
  • 68% of singles say it's a no-no to "check-in" on Foursquare, Facebook, Yelp or another platform when you arrive at a date.

Zoosk Mobile is amongst the most popular mobile dating app available, and to date, singles have uploaded more than 12 million photos using Zoosk Mobile.  Within the past year, singles have sent more than 7 million "flirts" to other singles via Zoosk Mobile, and 40,000 have been sent in the past month.  

The Zoosk survey was conducted online in June 2011 and fielded 3,245 responses from singles in the U.S. who use Zoosk.  

About Zoosk
Zoosk is one of the world's largest social dating communities, with millions of singles from around the globe using the service each month. Zoosk provides a fun and social online dating experience that users can easily access from Zoosk's website, social networking applications, mobile services, and a downloadable desktop application. Zoosk is available in more than 25 languages and has subscribers in more than 60 countries. The service enables users to join, browse, and send a limited number of messages for free. Zoosk users can upgrade to a premium subscription for full access or purchase virtual currency to buy select features and virtual gifts. Founded in 2007 by Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr, the company is based in San Francisco and backed by Canaan Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and ATA Ventures.

SOURCE Zoosk