Talking and Texting Is So 2009

The 63% of cellphone users who go online is nearly double the number that did so five years ago, when Pew started tracking Internet usage on cellphones.

 

More than a fifth (21%) of all adult cell owners now do most of their online browsing using a mobile phone instead of another device, such as a desktop or laptop computer.

 

The survey of 2,252 American adults (including 1,127 interviews conducted on the respondent’s cell phone) showed that adults age 18 to 29, the college-educated, the more affluent, and urban and suburban-dwellers are especially likely to use their phones for more than just talking or text messaging.

 

Texting continues to be one of the most prevalent activities. Fully 81% of cell owners text, especially younger adults, the college-educated and those living in higher-income households.

 

African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to access the Internet on their phones than are whites, as are younger adults, those with at least some college education and those with an annual household income exceeding $75,000 a year. Those who live in rural areas are less likely than urban or suburbanites to have mobile Internet access.

 

Of those who use the Internet or email on their phones, more than a third (34%) say that they mostly access the Internet from their phone.

 

African-Americans, Hispanics, young adults, those with lower levels of education and those living in lower-income households are especially likely to say their cell phone is their primary point of Internet access.

 

Half of cell owners send or receive email from their phone. The activity is most popular among younger adults, the well-educated, those in higher income brackets and urban and suburban-dwellers.

 

Half of cell owners download apps to their phone. Adults 18 to 29, the well-educated, those with higher incomes and those living in urban and suburban areas are particularly likely to download apps.

 

Almost half (49%) of cell owners have used their phones to look up directions, recommendations and other information related to their location. Young adults, those who are well-educated, higher income, and urban and suburban residents are most likely to do so.

 

The cell phone is all about music, for some users. About half of cell owners (48%) listen to music on their phones. Men, younger adults, those living in households with an annual income over $75,000, and urban and suburban residents are particularly likely to do so. African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely than whites to listen to music on their phones.