The temptation to "spy" on partners was the strongest for Gen Ys. Almost one in five (19 per cent) admitted they had been caught looking through their partner's phone or had caught their partner looking through theirs.
Only 16 per cent of Gen X and 5 per cent of baby boomers admitted to snooping through their partner's phone.
A Wellington 22-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said although she had never looked through her partner's phone, she could see why some people might be tempted to snoop. "If I was suspicious he was having an affair or something, that would be the first place I would think to look or check.
"I think I would really have to have cause to be suspicious to actually do it; it wouldn't be something I would do randomly to just check up on him."
The poll also showed Gen Y were most "dangerous" with their phones - 19 per cent admitted to texting and talking on them while driving.
Baby boomers had much safer driving habits; only 3 per cent admitted to the same behaviour.
The survey also showed that 28 per cent of Kiwis have a mobile phone they use for work calls.
However, close to a quarter (24 per cent) of those surveyed said they switched their work phones off after hours or on the weekends.
Private investigator Julia Hartley Moore said it was not just Gen Y who snooped on their partner's phones, it was "generation everybody".
"The cellphone is the biggest give-away of any kind of affair; it has been for years," Ms Hartley Moore said.
"Technology is great ... but it is technology that gets people caught as well. There is no way to protect yourself - just don't do anything you shouldn't."
Auckland cellphone users
17%
say they have dropped their phones and cracked the screen
32%
say data is more important to them than call minutes or text
10%
say they make phone calls or text while driving
4%
have been stopped by police for using their phone while driving
33%
have a mobile phone for work calls
Join the conversation on the Herald Life Facebook page
