Technology
Survey finds majority of U.S. adults believe they use smartphones excessively
A Pew Research Center study shows high self-reported screen time, especially among young adults, amid concerns over safety, sleep, and productivity.
The short version
- A Pew Research Center survey indicates that 53% of U.S. adults believe they use smartphones too much, rising to 70% among adults aged 18 to 29.
- Respondents frequently cited disrupted sleep (41%) and reduced productivity (34%) as negative impacts of device overuse.
- While 45% of respondents attempted to curb their phone use over the past year, only a quarter considered their efforts highly successful.
Key facts
- A Pew Research Center survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. adults found that 53% believe they use smartphones too much, compared to 36% who feel their usage is appropriate.[CNET]
- Perceived excessive smartphone usage reached 70% among 18-to-29-year-olds and 64% among those aged 30 to 49, with 42% of the younger group reporting near-constant use.[CNET]
- Data platform Semrush estimates that U.S. users average 5 hours and 16 minutes of screen time across roughly 58 daily phone checks, compared to a global daily average of 4 hours and 37 minutes.[CNET]
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,208 fatalities linked to distracted driving in 2024.[CNET]
- Among respondents who tried reducing their phone use over the past year, 25% described their efforts as extremely or very successful, while 52% reported being somewhat successful.[CNET]
What remains uncertain
- The long-term efficacy of individual behavioral interventions and app-blocking tools to permanently curb phone addiction remains unmeasured in broad populations.[CNET]