Smart Phones and Meetings

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/jobs/16pre.xml

Texting/emailing/messaging/etc via a smart phone during meetings is as common a practice these days as taking notes! The problem is that while most people would agree that it is offensive they would also agree that they too are guilty of this incivility.

So is there a healthy balance? Is there appropriate time or way to engage in this activity during a meeting? Personally I do not think that anyone is going to be willing to relinquish all smart phone activities during meetings; however, I do think there are some very simple and basic ground rules that could be set which I think would appease the majority.

1) Discrete email/message checking is OK in larger meetings (5 or more) when you are not speaking or being directly spoken to.
2) Minimize discrete checking to 30 to 60 seconds.
3) Strictly prohibited during 1 on 1 face to meetings (use the bathroom if absolutely critical)
4) Schedule frequent breaks (every hour or so) during long meeting as everyone will most likely to be itching to check their devices after about an hour.