Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm look at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying.

They're online in chat rooms, checking e-mail, or writing blogs.

From a societal perspective, phone checking is less like belching in public and more like another bad habit.

It could also insist on checking private manned spacecraft as thoroughly as it does commercial aircraft.

Now, imagine the same dinner, but instead of checking their phone, the person belches—loudly.

One 2013 study of college students found that 80% of students use their phones or laptops during class, with the average student checking their digital device 11 times in a typical class.

The more people are on their phones, the fewer people are talking until finally you're the only one left not reading email or checking Twitter.

The reality is, taking one's phone out at the wrong time is worse than belching because, unlike other minor offense, checking tech is contagious.

Today, the average American spends 8.8 hours at work daily, and the majority of working professionals spend additional hours checking in with work during evenings, weekends and even vacations.

He can't help checking even at inappropriate times like when we are eating in a restaurant and I am talking to him! he behaves as if any small amount of boredom can make him feel the need to check his phone even when he knows he shouldn't.

I'm...I'm checking out on the morning of the 4th.

Pahlsson and her husband searched the kitchen, checking every corner, but turned up nothing.