Technology Makes It Easier For People To Tell Lies

"Look me in the eye."

That old cliche is often said to get someone to tell the truth. But technology tends to eliminate that face-to-face (and eye-to-eye) contact. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that the use of technology -- such as text messaging or email -- makes it easier for people to lie.

Well, that has now been officially confirmed: by 72 Point, a poll company based in the United Kingdom. (Source: pcmag.com)

72 Point conducted its study on behalf of Friends Provident PLC, a British financial services group. (Source: cbc.ca)

According to the survey, nearly 75 percent of the poll-takers admitted that their gadgets made it easier for them to be dishonest. That's four out of five people!

Half of them said that the lack of personal interaction afforded to them by tech gadgets took away the guilt normally associated with lying.

Attention, bosses: it's possible that your employees aren't being entirely truthful with you. Work was the top choice for lies told, according to the poll. Out of the 1,487 people involved in the survey, an alarming 67 percent of them admitted to being deceitful at work.

Those sick days may also be a ruse. 43 percent admitted to feigning illnesses. Another 23 percent deceive their bosses into thinking that work is done when it really isn't. Even worse, 18 percent have blatantly lied to cover up a monumental error.

Of course, employers aren't the only ones on the receiving end of these deceptive practices. A little over 40 percent of the survey participants have lied to a family member or partner. 37 percent fibbed about buying new clothes or how much they cost. 35 percent lied about how good an article of clothing or item looked on another person. Food gobbled up a major amount of percentage points as well, with people lying to others about how much they've eaten (35 percent), had to drink (31 percent), and what their weight is (32 percent).

So, has technology created a nation of remorseless liars? Not quite. Thankfully, 72 Point concluded that many of the lies weren't malicious in nature, and some of them were actually told to avoid hurting other people's feelings. (Source: pcmag.com)