Trendspotting: Growing Unease Over Time Spent on Smartphones

NewsWire: 6/29/22

• Nearly 6 in 10 American adults who use smartphones say that they use theirs too much. This is up nearly 20 percentage points since 2015 and has increased markedly among all age groups. (Gallup)
• NH: You aren't alone if you think you use your phone too much. According to a new Gallup poll, 58% of smartphone users say they spend too much time on their phones. That's a rise of +19 percentage points since 2015.

• The share of Americans who think they use their phone too often increases as age decreases. While only 30% of those aged 65+ share worry about their smartphone addiction, 74% of 30- to 49-year-olds and 81% of 18- to 29-year-olds do the same. Worry among all age groups has risen since 2015. But worry among the young has risen the most: +26 pp for age 30 to 49, versus +21 pp for age 65+.
• We anticipated long ago that a "tech-lash" was brewing against Silicon Valley. (See "Tech-Lash Batters Silicon Valley.”) And indeed, these companies are increasingly being accused of making their products addictive, with harmful consequences. (See “Teen Social Media Use Linked with Poor Mental Health.”) This poll is just another example of Americans' unease with the proliferation of technology into their everyday lives. 
• Of course, this is bad news for tech firms whose valuations depend on keeping users ever-more engaged. And it is especially bad news for companies pinning their futures on the metaverse. If people are already wary of the time spent on their cellphones, I doubt most will be thrilled by an invitation to move their whole lives into a virtual setting. (See "Do People Even Want the Metaverse?") 
• Don't believe me? Just look at this recent poll by Zipline: 85% of Gen Zers feel "indifferent" about brands offering metaverse products. If you can't convince tech-savvy youths to care, I doubt you will convince the rest of society.