It is estimated that today’s workers spend a quarter or more of their day communicating through social media. A 2014 30-question survey of 825 medical-surgical nurses found that 78 percent of the nurses used their mobile phones or other personal communication device while working (excluding meal times and breaks). Thirty-eight percent indicated they (sometimes, often, or always) sent personal emails and text messages to family and friends.

One twenty-something worker posted on a blog the following defense of his need for cyberslacking.

It’s very difficult to work productively and efficiently (to achieve “flow”) with no mental or other breaks for more than a couple of hours, so I think it makes sense to take an online shopping break, as long as it’s short.”

This type of rationale for cyberslacking is becoming more common as workers view taking short breaks as an effective means to remain more focused and productive. A Brazilian study found that cyberslacking is a means of escape from the pressures imposed by the capitalist system. Some argue that work is not defined and performed solely between 9–5 due to technologies extending work into the evenings and weekends. Therefore, cyberslacking is seemingly justified because the worker is working more than 40 hours a week.

As a health professional, the question arises whether cyberslacking negatively impacts patient care or do short breaks to text family and friends provide psychological and emotional benefits allowing for better patient care. There will be formal and informal rules regarding when and where you can use your phone and whether personal use of your employer-issued tablet or computer is allowed.