The majority of Americans are nearly guilt free about using their smartphone use, but are still annoyed by others.
With the release of the latest iPhone 5S and 5C prompting lines outside Apple stores the smartphone battles have heated up. In the United States smartphone ownership is growing rapidly and and as ownership increases, the use of these devices in different placess and at different times is becoming more and more acceptable.
According to the latest YouGov research a majority (54%) of people said they check their smart phones 'very frequently', but when asked if they ever felt bad about how frequently they check their phones, the overwhelming majority (74%) said that they rarely - if ever - felt bad about it.
Interestingly, however, that the percentage of people who are bothered by others checking their smart phone is much higher. Social times, like dinner, seem to remain an area where real conversation trumps the virtual. 37% seem to have grown thick skins, however, and don't find themselves bothered by whether or not someone they're with is checking their smartphone.
These relatively lax attitudes may reflect growing numbers of people who own smartphones, as a poll taken last year shows that the percentage of Americans who own a smartphone has increased by 10% to 57%, with a majority of every demographic except over-45s owning smart phones. Out of people who do own smartphones, a majority (54%) say that they check it 'very frequently'.
When asked to compare themselves to others, a majority of people (85%) claim to be about as attached, or less attached to their smartphone than their peers. Only 11% admitting to be more attached.
Smart phones are growing in popularity and becoming more than just a means of communication. 42% of people have felt occasional to frequent anxiety when not allowed to check their smart phone, and when asked whether they would rather give up their wallet or their phone if forced to choose, 36% chose their smart phone, and 11% were unsure.
Full results can be found here.
Image: Getty.
