Home Consumer A Drone of My Own – Friend or Foe?

A Drone of My Own – Friend or Foe?

www.prwatch.org

­­­­­­­­By Terri Lynn, SouthFloridaReporter.com, Managing Editor, Dec. 15, 2015 – A Drone of My Own – Friend or Foe?

One of the hot items expected to be received as gifts this year are drones. There are many different types and can range in price from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. Some just fly around, while others are equipped with cameras capable of taking pictures from great heights at a great distance.

Companies like Amazon are looking into ways to use them to make deliveries to your home. News media use them to gather aerial video for local stories.

The government is concerned about the sudden surge of drones and the effect they could have if used around an airport. Another concern being raised is the privacy issue.

In a recent and timely survey, more than one-third of Americans surveyed nationally by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute say they would like someday to have an unmanned aerial mechanism or vehicle of their very own. The gadgets are more commonly known as drones.

Saint Leo University in an online survey, asked people what they know and think about drones. The survey was taken between November 29 and December 3, 2015. The over one thousand adults responded, here are some of the results:

·       Among respondents from all over the country, the term “drone” is commonly recognized: 78.4 percent said they are very aware or somewhat aware of the mechanisms.

·       Of those who were interested in having a drone, the leading reason cited was that they see it as “a fun hobby — more advanced than a model airplane.” In fact, 73.2 percent were drawn to the hobby idea.

·       About one-third said they want to see their “own property from heights.” The next most common answer was “safety/security interests,” chosen by 28.3 percent. And 11.7 percent admitted wanting “to observe my neighbors.”

Still, the majority of respondents don’t necessarily like the notion of drones becoming prevalent:

·       73.1 percent said they are somewhat concerned or very concerned about drones in U.S. airspace. That is almost as many people who said they know what a drone is. The top concerns articulated — respondents were allowed to select multiple reasons from a list — include these potential or feared scenarios:

·       Personal Privacy Issues, Among 64.4 Percent;

·       Potentially Dangerous Interference With Airplanes, 57.8 Percent;

·       Weaponized Domestic Drones, 56.4 Percent;

·       Spying By The Government On Citizens, 50.7 Percent;

·       Devices Susceptible To Hacking, 50.3 Percent.

In answer to a different question, a resounding majority of 81.9 percent somewhat or strongly agreed that drones should be “prohibited from photographing one’s backyard, house and family.”

And 47.5 percent strongly or somewhat agreed that private citizens should be banned from owning drones.

How do you feel about drones, let us know.

 

Terri Lynn has earned a reputation as a dynamo in the fast-past world of high profile public relations. Her blue chip press contacts, dazzling creativity and unstoppable determination, combined with superb writing skills, consistently produces extensive media coverage for her clients. She’s regarded as tenacious, persuasive and always gets the job done!