How Distracted Are You?

by Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications

If you’re like most Americans, the answer can be summed up in one word: incredibly.

And it’s likely due to that little mobile device — you know, your cell phone, BlackBerry, or iPhone — that you can’t seem to live without. According to a survey released earlier this year by the Pew Research Center, nearly 89 million Americans, or one-third of the population, now owns some sort of mobile device, and it’s draining most of our attention.

In fact, the report reveals that Americans send or receive an estimated five billion text messages each month! But it doesn’t stop there. Consider some other statistics:

  • 38% of people access the Internet on their mobile device
  • 76% use their phone to take pictures
  • 72% send or receive text messages
  • 34% play games
  • 34% send or receive email
  • 33% play music
  • 30% send or receive instant messages
  • 34% record videos

Pre-teens and teens are by far the worst offenders. The report states that more than two out of three youths in this age group are now mobile. Boys typically send and receive more than 30 texts a day. Girls typically send and receive 80 or more texts each day.

But perhaps the most disturbing revelation of this study? For all of our communicating, we seem to be speaking less and less. Whatever happened to speaking on the phone? Or meeting friends for lunch? Or catching up on everyone’s day over a family meal?

Earlier this year, Americans signed up in droves to make our vehicles “no phone zones.” Maybe now it’s time to block off some other areas, too.

What do you think? Has our usage of cell phones and other mobile devices gotten out of hand?


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