What we know about internet use, smartphone ownership and digital divides in the U.S.
Today, most Americans subscribe to home broadband internet and own a smartphone, while about four-in-ten say they’re online almost constantly.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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How Parents Manage Screen Time for Kids
About four-in-ten parents say they could be doing better at managing their kid’s screen time. A larger share – 58% – say they’re doing the best they can.
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Americans’ support for school cellphone bans has ticked up since last year
More than four-in-ten Americans (44%) back bans on student cellphone use during the entire school day, up from 36% last fall.
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Most Americans back cellphone bans during class, but fewer support all-day restrictions
Overall, 68% of U.S. adults say they support a ban on middle and high school students using cellphones during class.
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72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom
Some 72% of high school teachers say that students being distracted by cellphones is a major problem in their classroom.
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How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time
Most teens at least sometimes feel happy and peaceful when they don’t have their phone, but 44% say this makes them anxious. Half of parents say they have looked through their teen’s phone.
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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.
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Social Media Seen as Mostly Good for Democracy Across Many Nations, But U.S. is a Major Outlier
Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.
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For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults
Social media is an important tool for consumers, with some Americans – particularly younger adults – turning to influencer recommendations.
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Share of those 65 and older who are tech users has grown in the past decade
Adoption of key technologies by those in the oldest age group has grown markedly since about a decade ago.
