More Americans Are Browsing the Web Using Their Cell Phones
Browsing the web these days has never been so easy with smartphones. In fact, a new survey from the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project shows that as of April 2012, 88% of U.S. adults own a mobile phone – of which 55% go online using the device. Young adults and non-whites are especially likely to use their cell phones for the majority of their online activities.
According to the research, 51% of the African-American cell Internet users rely on their phone to do their online browsing, while only 24% of whites use their cell phone to browse the web. For individuals aged 18-29, 45% are using their cell phones to do most of their online browsing.
With the advent of feature-rich smartphones, faster connections, and more ubiquitous network coverage, it’s really not surprising that more and more people are now able to sustain their online activities without having to use a computer. Smartphone users in particular can search for the latest gadgets, read news, and even shop – all in just a tap on their smartphone screen.
When the respondents are asked for the main reason behind their online activity via their mobile device, 64% said that cell phones are more convenient and always available. About 18% mentioned that cell phones better fit their usage habits, whereas 10% said that their mobile device help fill access gaps.
The telephone survey was conducted March 15-April 13, 2012 and participated by 2,254 adults age 18 and over.