Americans’ Use of Mobile Technology and Home Broadband
Most U.S. adults today say they use the internet (95%), have a smartphone (90%) or subscribe to high-speed internet at home (80%). About four-in-ten report being online almost constantly.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Most U.S. adults today say they use the internet (95%), have a smartphone (90%) or subscribe to high-speed internet at home (80%). About four-in-ten report being online almost constantly.
Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.
Social media is an important tool for consumers, with some Americans – particularly younger adults – turning to influencer recommendations.
Black and Hispanic Americans remain less likely than White adults to say they own a traditional computer or have high-speed internet at home.
Rural adults are less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason.
A median of 77% across 34 countries surveyed use the internet at least occasionally or own an internet-enabled smartphone.
Smartphone users in emerging economies – especially those who use social media – tend to be more exposed to people with different backgrounds and more connected with friends they don’t see in person.
Note: For the latest survey data on home broadband adoption and smartphone use, see “Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2021” As the share of Americans who say they own a smartphone has increased dramatically over the past decade – from 35% in 2011 to 81% in 2019 – a new Pew Research Center survey finds that […]
Whether in advanced or emerging economies, younger people, those with higher levels of education and those with higher incomes are more likely to be digitally connected.
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