Young parents use more tech devices than nearly any other group. Online adults use many connected devices, especially using more than one PC. Their active collection often includes a smartphone and sometimes also a tablet. This MetaFAQs reports on the average number of connected devices in active use by online adults in the US, Germany, UK, and Japan by life stage – employment status, age group, and presence of children.
Average number of PCs being used among socioeconomic groups
How different are advantaged from disadvantaged Americans in how many PCs they use? How much has this changed since before the pandemic? How do historically socioeconomically advantaged groups such as high-income or college graduates compare to disadvantaged groups such as single parents, low-income, less-educated, elderly, or ethnic groups? This TUP analysis reports on the number of PCs actively used within each socioeconomic group.
Smartphones are primary for Americans under 50 while PCs lead among the 50+
Most Americans regularly use more than one connected device – smartphones, feature phones, PCs, tablets, and game consoles. This MetaFAQs reports on the online adult’s primary device – the one they use more often than other devices – comparing adults by their age group.
Smartphones ace out PCs among younger adults around the world
The majority of online adults are using more than one connected device – a mobile phone, PC, tablet, or game console. The device they use the most – their primary device – varies across age groups. More adults under age 35 primarily use a smartphone while those 35 and over rely on a computer. This MetaFAQs details the primary device of online adults by four age groups.
Fun and games-devices versus consoles
Fun is a core activity drawing many people to use and enjoy their connected devices. While game consoles get a lot of focused attention, a substantially larger number of people regularly play games with their smartphones, PCs, and tablets. This MetaFAQs report details the number of adults playing games with connected devices as compared to those using game consoles. Furthermore, it splits these by age group.
Average number of tablets being used among socioeconomic groups
How different are advantaged from disadvantaged Americans in how many tablets they use? How much has this changed since before the pandemic? How do historically socioeconomically advantaged groups such as high-income or college graduates compare to disadvantaged groups such as single parents, low-income, lesser-educated, elderly, or ethnic groups? This TUP analysis reports on the number of tablets actively used within each socioeconomic group.
Smartphone penetration by socioeconomic groups
How different are advantaged from disadvantaged Americans in whether or not they use a smartphone? How much has this changed since before the pandemic? How do historically socioeconomically advantaged groups such as high-income or college graduates compare to disadvantaged groups such as single parents, low-income, less-educated, elderly, or people of color? This TUP analysis reports on the penetration of smartphones within each socioeconomic group.
Trends in technology ecosystems
Among online Americans, Smartphones have reached the same penetration rate as PCs, partly due to some segments where PC usage has declined. Apple has propelled much of this growth, outpacing Android smartphones in nearly every segment. Windows PCs, while still dominant, have been gradually losing their lead and penetration rates among most segments. Usage of tablets has continued its slow decline, primarily due to lowered market penetration of iPads within most market segments.
Shift in device hours by socioeconomic groups
How different are advantaged from disadvantaged Americans in how intensively they use their technology devices? How much has this changed since before the pandemic? How do historically socioeconomically advantaged groups such as high-income or college graduates compare to disadvantaged groups such as single parents, low-income, less-educated, elderly, or people of color? This TUP analysis reports on the average number of hours connected devices – mobile phones, computers, and tablets – being used by each socioeconomic group.
Declining hours of connected device use
After peaking at the start of the COVID pandemic, the hours online adults use their connected devices have broadly declined. Across the US, Germany, and the UK, total device hours have even dropped below their pre-pandemic levels. This MetaFAQs report, based on the results of TUP research from 2016 through 2021, details the hours spent using home PCs, work PCs, smartphones, and tablets and how those hours have shifted.