According to a Gallup poll, 58 per cent of U.S. adults use their smartphone “too much.” While this indicate a growing addiction, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that their smartphone has improved their lives. Only 12 per cent say that the smartphone has worsened their lives in some way.
Other findings in the report highlight Americans’ personal connection to their phones. This includes the fact that half of Americans agree with the statement, “I can’t imagine my life without my smartphone.” This is essentially unchanged from 47 per cent in a similar survey in 2015.
Forty four per cent of Americans say they would feel anxious if they lost their phones for a day. Eighty three per cent of American adults say they keep their smartphones near them almost all the time during their waking hours.
Americans’ attachment to their phones is strongly linked to their age, according to the report. Adults below 50 likely to report keeping their phones with them around the clock and checking them when they wake up.
However, the age groups differ less when it comes to not being able to do without a smartphone: just under half of adults over 50 say they cannot imagine life without a smartphone versus 53 per cent of 30-49 year olds and 64 per cent of 18-29 year olds.