Is it rude to look at other the computer screen while someone else is using it?

United States
September 19, 2007 8:43pm CST
I notice people do this all the time without even thinking, like If somebody is using the computer in say the living room when someone walks past they look at the screen. That happens when i use yahoo answers, is it rude to (privacy reasons?) or it doesn't matter (it's the principle of it, not whether or not you're looking at something you shouldn't)
6 people like this
7 responses
@eprado (1467)
• Philippines
21 Sep 07
Hello bigedshult1, Yes I believe its is rude to look at others computer screen while they are using it. We should respect other peoples privacy as we would want them to with ours. This often happens when you are using a public computer in a shop. Sometimes It can't be avoided there since there are usually many people walking behind your seat and some are standing around just waiting. As I don't usually want people looking at my computer screen when I am using it, I have my computer inside my room so I can have my privacy. :-)
@Tarrish (562)
• United States
20 Sep 07
I think it depends on who is using the computer when you're looking at it. If my friend walked by and looked at my screen while I was on my laptop I wouldn't really care. If it was something I didn't want them to see I would just tell them. Now if a stranger walked by and starting trying to look at what I was doing then that might get at me. I dislike when people look at what I'm typing when I'm on a chat program. I think that is the most rude...or if you're writing an e-mail. I guess it just depends on the circumstance, but I will go with it's a little rude to stare at something that may or may not be your business. :)
2 people like this
@plumwish07 (4057)
• Indonesia
20 Sep 07
if they are just look for while, i think its ok for me coz its normal if person getting curious what we are doing eventhough it made me little bit uncomfortable. but if they really interesting with our window, ofcourse i will tell the person that he/she already disturbed my own privacy.
2 people like this
@cdcale (89)
• Singapore
20 Sep 07
i think it is a little rude, but I don't mind it too much. people should respect your privacy, but it is natural for others to be curious. If they are there for long periods of time and refuse to leave, then it would become a problem. Otherwise, I really don't mind others looking at what I'm doing on the computer.
@Swaana (1205)
• India
21 Feb 08
I really dont ever like that kind of behaviour even it is my spouse, because I am in middle of something and if you peek in you tend to comment upon it and I cant tolerate when someone comment on what I am doing. As I use a laptop I just close the screen, which may be a rude action but I dont mind doing it because it is my privacy is affected.
• Philippines
9 Dec 08
It is rude. Like my mother is always telling me not read somebody else's newspaper when somebody is still reading it. But anybody who uses computer in a "public" area means "he's giving up some of his privacy", not unlike when you're in your own room which is completely private.
• United States
20 Mar 08
This is a tolerable habit only when it is inside the home and with members of your close family. But, I've had people in the library stand and look over my shoulder as I'm using the computer. Most of the times it's kids that are trying to annoy you on purpose so that you would get off the computer so that they can get on and play games. That's intolerable.