Smartphone dependency by education
% of U.S. adults who are smartphone dependent, by education level
| Year | Less than high school graduate | High school graduate | High school or less | Some college | College graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 14% | 11% | 8% | 4% | |
| 2015 | 21% | 17% | 14% | 6% | |
| 2016 | 27% | 15% | 12% | 5% | |
| 2018 | 39% | 22% | 21% | 10% | |
| 2019 | 32% | 24% | 16% | 4% | |
| 2021 | 23% | 15% | 4% | ||
| 2023 | 24% | 13% | 6% |
Note: The vertical line indicates a change in mode. Polls from 2013-2021 were conducted via phone. In 2023, the poll was conducted via web and mail. For more details on this shift, please read our Q&A. Refer to the topline for more information on how question wording varied over the years. “High school or less” includes both “Less than high school graduate” and “High school graduate.” The 2021 and 2023 samples are too small to separate these two categories. Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted 2013-2023. Data for each year is based on a pooled analysis of all surveys containing broadband and smartphone questions fielded during that year.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
