3 Charts That Show Why We’re Addicted to Our Phones

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A new report from Pew Research Center takes a sobering look at why many Americans just can’t be without their smartphones.

Many Americans need — yes, need — their phones to access the Internet, according to Pew’s survey of U.S. adult smartphone owners, published Wednesday. About 7% of respondents said they required their phone to go online since they did not have broadband or any other options for Internet access. The most “total smartphone-dependent” Americans, as Pew termed this category, tended to be in low-income and non-white groups:

Pew’s survey also found the 36% of U.S. adults didn’t own a smartphone, suggesting how millions of Americans, believe it or not, are getting by just fine without their Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. In fact, most smartphone owners can complete tasks just fine when their phones aren’t by their sides:

 

But in the end, Americans probably won’t ditch their smartphones if they don’t have to. Though about half of respondents said their phones made them feel distracted, the overwhelming majority also said their phones made them feel happy and productive.

That love-hate relationship might be why some scientists believe cell phone addiction is real — and also why some research shows you that it might actually be beneficial to always have your phone. In that case, everyone needs their phones.

See the Photos Apple Featured in Its iPhone Ad Campaign

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Kototoi Bridge, Tokyo
Kototoi Bridge in TokyoJun Imaizumi
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Inle Lake in Shan State, MyanmarFrancis Olarte
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The Chinese University of Hong Kong in Hong KongKinyat Chan
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Takachiho Gorge in Kyushi, Japan Gayle Tan
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Joffre Lakes in British Columbia, Canada Dan Carr
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San Leandro, Calif.Klodjana Dervishi
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DubaiDavid Kalonick
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Norrebro suburb of Copenhagen, DenmarkBrendan Ó Se
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Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif.Chris Cotter
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Taft Point in Yosemite National Park, Calif.Pei Ketron
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Hugh Boyd Soccer Field in Richmond, British Columbia John Lehmann
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Wah Tai House in the Wah Fu Estate in Hong KongHarold Lee
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Garin Dry Creek Regional Park near Union City, Calif.Renee Mukherji

Read Next: iPhone Separation Anxiety Makes You Dumber, Study Finds

 

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