31% of American Adult Cellphone Users Never Turn Their Phone Off

Almost one in three American adult cellphone users never turn their phone off, while 45 percent rarely turn off their phone.

And when age is considered, cellphone users under the age of 50 rarely turn their phone off, according to Americans’ Views on Mobile Etiquette.

Released earlier this week, the report is based on a survey of 3,217 adults conducted by the Pew Research Center as part of their Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel.

The report takes a look at Americans views and etiquette for cellphone use in public and social settings.

Additionally, the report explores how cellphones affect our social interactions and how our beliefs conflict with our own behaviors.

The report is based on web surveys, phone, and email responses received from May 30, 2014 through June 30, 2014 as part of the American Trends Panel June Wave.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• 77 percent of American adults think it’s OK for people to use their cellphones while walking down the street; 75 percent feel it’s OK for others to use phones on public transit
• More than 92 percent of American adults feel it’s inappropriate to use a cellphone during a meeting, at the movie theater, or at a church or worship service
• 82 percent of Americans feel that people using cellphones in social gatherings hurts the conversation more than it helps. The strongest objections come from women, whites, and older cellphone users.
• While there is consensus that cellphone use harms group interactions, most cellphone owners think their own phone use does not take their attention away from the group
• Younger adults have a higher tolerance for cellphone usage in public and social settings
• 90 percent of cellphone users report frequently carrying their phones with them, while only six percent say that occasionally have their phones with them
• For smartphone users, 94% carry their phone with them frequently; 82% say they never or rarely turn their phones off
• In public places, more than half (65 percent) of cellphone users use their cellphone occasionally to look up information about where they are going or how to get there. Two-thirds use their phone to catch up with friends and family.
• Two-thirds of cellphone owners say that when they are out in public spaces, they use their phone to catch up with friends and family members

I wasn’t surprised by the report’s findings on the usage of cellphone and smartphones in public and social settings. And the report did confirm what many believe are the differences between younger and older cellphone users (though, my cellphone behavior never fits into the Pew report findings).

I found it ironic that the majority of cellphone users say using cellphones in social settings hurts the conversation, but their own cellphone usage doesn’t take their attention away from the group.

Check out the report summary and more details on American adults views on mobile etiquette.