Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Over half of Americans say phones consume too much time
A survey asked 9,750 adults in the United States how they use their phones.
More than half said they spend too much time on them.
Younger adults were more likely than older adults to feel this way.
Many people tried to use their phones less during the past year.
Only one in four people who tried said they were extremely successful.
Phones are still used often, and some people check them almost constantly.
People said phones help them stay informed and connected.
However, more people said phones hurt their sleep than help it.
A Pew Research Center survey found that 53% of U.S. adults consider their phone use excessive.
Seven in ten adults under 30 said they spend too much time on their phones, compared with about a quarter of adults 65 and older.
Nearly half of respondents tried to reduce their phone use during the past year, but only 25% said they were extremely successful.
About one-quarter of adults use their smartphones almost constantly, including 42% of adults under 30.
Respondents said smartphones help them stay informed and connected, but 41% said phones hurt their sleep compared with 5% who said they help it.
- Who
- The Pew Research Center surveyed 9,750 U.S. adults.
- What
- The survey measured adults’ perceptions of smartphone use, attempts to reduce usage, and its effects on daily life.
- When
- The survey was conducted between May and June 2026.
- Where
- The survey covered adults in the United States.
- Why
- It examined how Americans view the benefits and downsides of smartphone use, including effects on sleep, productivity, mood, and connections with others.
Reported Benefits
Reported Downsides
Connection and information
Reported Benefits
Most respondents said smartphones help them stay informed and connected with other people.
Reported Downsides
The survey found that many adults believe their phone use has become excessive, particularly among younger adults.
Effects on daily life
Reported Benefits
Many respondents said smartphones neither help nor hurt their productivity or mood significantly.
Reported Downsides
Adults under 30 were especially likely to say smartphones hurt their productivity, and more respondents said phones hurt rather than help their sleep.
- Survey organization
- Pew Research Center
- Survey sample
- 9,750 U.S. adults
- Adults calling use excessive
- 53%
- Adults attempting to cut back
- 45% in the past year
- Almost-constant smartphone use
- About one-quarter of adults
- Sleep impact
- 41% said smartphones hurt their sleep, while 5% said they help it
- Under-30 almost-constant use
- 42%