GoKawiilPew survey: 53% of US adults say they overuse their smartphones
A Pew Research Center survey of nearly 10,000 US adults found that 53% believe they use their smartphones too much, while 36% say their usage is about right. Younger adults reported the highest rates of overuse, with 70% of 18-to-29-year-olds and 64% of those aged 30-49 saying they're on their devices excessively. Separately, Semrush data shows people worldwide spend over four and a half hours daily on their phones, checking them roughly 58 times a day.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These figures highlight a growing public awareness of phone dependency even as usage remains deeply embedded in daily routines like shopping, work and communication. The data also carries real-world stakes, since distracted driving tied to phone use contributed to over 3,200 US traffic deaths in 2024, underscoring that the habit isn't just a productivity concern but a safety issue.
- 53% of US adults admit to excessive smartphone use, per Pew Research.
- Younger adults (18-29) report the highest rates of phone overuse at 70%.
- Distracted driving from phone use contributed to 3,208 US traffic deaths in 2024.
Kitchen Safe Time Locking Container — If you want to break the pick-up-and-scroll loop, a time-locking container makes distance from your phone physical instead of willpower-based. Set the timer, drop your phone in, and it stays put until the lock releases — handy for reclaiming a chunk of those hours the Pew survey says we're losing.
See Kitchen Safe Time Locking Container on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Alex Valdes, 2026-09-02
Published there as: “You’re Addicted to Your Phone. Admitting That Is the First Step”
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