8 Perceptions of mobile technology and its impacts 8.1 Perceived benefits of mobile use and access Numerous perceived benefits of mobile use and access were identified in the survey. The biggest perceived improvement of using a phone was the ability to contact others in an emergency (Figure 76). Many perceptions of benefits of phone use have improved between 2015 and 2016 (Figure 77). While the ability to act or contact others in an emergency was the most commonly perceived benefit in 2016, the perceived benefit of this was larger in 2015. It hints to the fact that as mobiles become more widespread and more embedded in daily lives and routines, the purposes of use (and benefits perceived) become more diverse. 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 2.6 Your economic/financial status or well being 2.8 Your level of knowledge and skills 2.9 The efficiency of your day-to-day work 3.3 Your ability to act or contact others in an emergency 2.9 Your social and familial relations and relationships Your emotional well-being and happiness 2.8 Your social status/ recognition in the community 2.8 Mean scores are calculated from those who score from 1 to 5 Figure 76: Perceived benefits of mobile use and access (mean response) ICTs in Myanmar: 2016 83