THERE are many fantastic innovations that technology has created in the last decade – everything from robotics to driverless cars.

One unwelcome element it has brought, however, is a change in our behaviour and manners that impacts every area of society.

Take mobile phones, for example. Not very long ago at all, we wouldn’t have dreamed of having loud conversations, seemingly to ourselves, in the street, on the bus or train or even in the supermarket.

Now, we discuss the most private details of our lives at full volume, happy to share information with complete strangers whether they like it or not.

This is not only annoying at times but really quite rude and disrespectful of other people’s privacy. No wonder they have quiet sections on trains – they should have them everywhere.

Phones bling, ping and spew out silly songs, whistles and rhymes as ring tones at inappropriate times like when someone is giving a talk or you’re in the cinema. Some people never seem to turn off phones or even put them on vibrate.

Phones are also a kind of mental crutch for every single occasion when you can’t think of information. This isn’t all bad as it’s very convenient to to Google the name of that celebrity with the amazing hair, what the weather in Kearsley will be like tomorrow or what the latest news’ headlines are. But people also seem to think it’s OK to find the answers to quiz questions this way, too. Surely that’s not in the spirit of the quiz?

No. All common ense seems to go out of the window when we pick up our phones.

Take the case of the juror in an assault trial at Manchester Crown Court. Jurors had been specifically told by the judge not to research the defendant during his trial. There was obviously a good reason for this as something could come to light to prejudice their deliberations.

One woman, however, couldn’t resist. Two days into the costly trial, she used her smartphone to find him on Google, discovering that he was due to stand trial for murder. When she shared this information with fellow jurors, the trial collapsed – and the woman found herself in the dock and receiving a four-month suspended sentence.

That’s an extreme situation but the principle is there. We need to use developments like phones appropriately and with respect. Otherwise, it’s more of a curse.