Smartphones

More than eight-in-ten U.S. adults say they get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet “often” or “sometimes.”

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.

This sortable table provides data for levels of internet use, cellphone ownership, smartphone ownership and social media usage from 2013 to 2017 by country, highlighting the countries surveyed in sub-Saharan Africa.

This sortable table provides data for levels of internet use, smartphone ownership and social media usage from 2013 to 2017 by country.

At the same time, the contours of connectivity are shifting: One-in-five Americans (20%) are now ‘smartphone only’ internet users at home.

Voice-controlled digital assistants are being incorporated into a wide range of consumer products, and many U.S. adults say they now use these applications.