Americans have a love affair with their smartphones.
If that doesn’t surprise you, this might: The youngest millennials (ages 18-24) said their smartphone is the most essential part of their daily lives – even more important than deodorant, the Internet or their toothbrush. That’s according to the recent Bank of America Trends in Consumer Mobility Report.
Nearly half of Americans surveyed for the report said they couldn’t last more than one day without their smartphone. In fact, if their phone was taken away, nearly 4 in 5 of those surveyed said they’d give up chocolate or alcohol to get it back.
Thirteen percent said they’d even give up sex to have their smartphone returned.
“It’s a little depressing that these numbers are so high,” said Dr. Andrew L. Russell, director of the Program in Science and Technology Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology, “but the way we live now, it doesn’t surprise me.”
Other report highlights include:
- Frequent checking. About 85 percent of respondents said they check their smartphone at least a few times a day. Nearly 35 percent admit to constantly checking and using their phone.
- Phones over TV and coffee. When all respondents ranked the importance of items in their daily life, only a toothbrush (95 percent) and the Internet (93 percent) were ranked above smartphones (91 percent), which were tied for importance with a car and deodorant. Phones were ranked far above TV (76 percent) and coffee (60 percent).
- Banking. About 47 percent of people said their primary method of banking is mobile or online.
- Be polite. Checking a smartphone while driving took the top spot for the most annoying phone habit, with 38 percent of the vote. Surprisingly, just 7 percent of respondents said checking a phone during meals is the most annoying phone habit.
I could definitely last more than a day without my smartphone. I have a landline phone, too, so maybe that would make it easier. However, there is something freeing about disconnecting from the world.
How long could you survive without your smartphone? Share your thoughts below or on our Facebook page.
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