I hate to admit it but I use several screens while watching TV. The truth is I don’t mind admitting it at all. I love having my laptop, iPad, and iPhone on the couch right next to me so I feel totally in control. I call it my virtual command center. All of my communications devices are now in easy reach. In fact, I am watching HGTV right now (it’s Tuesday night, Dec 4th, at 7:30pm) and I have my laptop nestled on my lap writing this blog post. I have become so Internet connected that I cannot sit for too long without checking emails, Twitter, Facebook, Words Free, text messages, and Linkedin. Some people might think that I am pathetic and there is no quality going on in my life but that it just not true.
I represent the new digital citizen who wants to be rich in information. I am living the life of several people because I can do a few things at one time. Trust me, when I need to focus, I am just as good as the rest of you. Nielson Co., the big research firm, just reported that I am not alone.
Nielsen confirms a trend among viewers that has been gaining momentum for some time: the use of a second screen while watching TV. The second screen of choice, increasingly, is Twitter, the social network that’s just six years old and limits messages to 140 characters. “Twitter has become the second screen experience for television,” said Nielsen social media Vice President Deirdre Bannon.
Associated Press reported that there is an explosive growth in people who watch TV while connected to social media on smartphones and tablets. David Bauder of the AP, said “Nielsen found that one in three people using Twitter in June sent messages at some point about TV shows. And that was before the Olympics, which was probably the first big event to illustrate the extent of second screen usage.”
The study also found almost one-third of people between 18 and 24 used social networking sites while in the bathroom. At least once per day, about 41% of tablet owners and 38% of smartphone owners used their devices while watching TV.”
Yes, the world is very different and is evolving all the time. Don’t be one of those fuddy duddy seniors who can’t appreciate change.
DigiDame 
Good on you Ms. Multi-tasker. But when I do finally sit down in front of the boob tube, it’s disconnection I’m seeking.
I’m in that 41%… Sitting in my lounge chair, with my feet up I am knitting, watching TV, and have my laptop open and on my lap!!! Constantly checking FB, emails, and different groups I belong too!!! I AM IN CONTROL!!!