This Is How Much Americans Use Their Mobile Phone

A report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project has released data on mobile usage in the US and how it relates to age, gender, ethnic origin and income.

The report found that 91% of Americans over the age of 18 now own a cell phone, with 60% of these individuals using them to access the internet, and 50% downloading apps. 

It also showed that 57% of American adults use their cell phone to go online – a figure that has doubled since 2009.

85% of mobile phone owners in the 18-29 bracket used their device to go online, with over half saying it was their primary way to access the internet.

Aside from phone calls, texting remains the most popular use for cell phones. 

Since mid 2009, the percentage of people texting has risen from 65% to 81%. 

The ethnic group who sends and receives the most text messages is Hispanic, and the age group most likely to text is (unsurprisingly) the 18-29 year olds. 

Three out of five Hispanic users said they used their phone most often to go online.

The report was based on a survey of 2,252 adults, and the age groups reviewed were 18-29, 30-49, 50-64, and 65+.

The survey also factored in education attainment and household income, and reviewed three races/ethnicities; White (Non-Hispanic), Black (Non-Hispanic) and Hispanic.

Here are some other findings of the report:

• Individuals who download apps onto their cell phones has increased from 22% in mid 2009 to 50% in mid 2013.
• Video calls have also increased in popularity, from 7% in 2010 to 21% in 2013.
• The group who text the most in relation to their education attainment is those who attended college (86%).
• Similarly, 88% of those who have a household income of $50,000 or over send and receive the most text messages, in comparison to those who earn less than $30,000 per annum (78%).
• Women access the internet on their cell phone less than men do.
• Those who have household incomes of over $75,000 use the internet on their cell phone more than any other income group.
• In relation to apps, the group who had the highest percentage of downloads were men (52%), 18-29 year olds (77%) and those who had attained the highest possible education and were earning the highest household income.
• 15% of adult Americans aren’t online.
• The study found overall that mobile internet usage was up 8% from 55% in April 2012.

To look at the Cell Internet Usage report, go here.