This Is Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Phone On The Toilet

Back in the 20th century, and even early this century, people used to read newspapers and magazines while sitting on the loo.

Nowadays, for many people, the trusty smartphone has replaced the paper reading products, and they take that to the dunny with them instead.

If you think this habit is ever-so-slightly revolting, you’d be right. Not only do you run the risk of dropping your expensive phone into the toilet water, science also says it’s not a good idea.

In general, phones are actually quite filthy. Most people would never think to clean their phones, even though it comes into contact with our hands, whether they are dirty or clean.

Each square inch of your filthy phone contains approximately 25,000 germs… think about that when you borrow someone else’s and you have it pressed up against your face!

Researchers at the University of Arizona studied 200 mobile phone users and found 94.5 per cent of the phones contaminated with some kind of bacteria – many which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

They also tested the participants’ hands and found that a significant number of germs were transferred from hands to phones and vice versa. About 30 per cent of the bacteria found on the phones ended up on the owners’ hands.

Once this sort of bacteria is on your hands, all you have to do is touch your eyes or nose, and those germs will have an easy route into your body.

Because of that using the phone on the toilet habit, it’s estimated 1 in 6 mobile phones have traces of fecal matter on them. That’s right, POO.

Let’s face it, bathrooms aren’t the cleanest places around. ESPECIALLY public toilets. You have no idea when the public conveniences were last cleaned, if at all. A bathroom is covered in all sorts of germs, pathogens and bacteria from intestinal tracts, mostly from poo.

Scientists reckon it’s a pretty dirty habit that can expose you to nasty germs like salmonella, E. Coli and C. Difficile during the routine of wiping yourself, pressing the flusher or toilet lock and then touching your phone.

And the heat that mobile devices emit create a lovely, warm environment for the bacteria to thrive in, meaning those nasty germs could last on your phone for DAYS!