Just how connected are we?

November 16, 2008 9:26 AM

I'm working on a short essay, and trying to get a general idea of how many hours per week the average person spends sending e-mails, talking on the phone, texting, etc.

My google-fu is completely failing me (well, I'm finding some fairly incomplete data from about 2004, which is obviously not that useful), and I'd like to have something to back up my claim that we're spending more and more time "connected" each week. Any sources would be very helpful. Thanks!

posted by sabotagerabbit to Technology (1 answer total)

You probably want to look at the Pew Internet & American Life project. They do a lot of surveys along these lines. Depending on what exactly you're trying to track, different reports might be helpful. You can get stats like these

- 85% of youth ages 12-17 engage at least occasionally in some form of electronic personal communication, which includes text messaging, sending email or instant messages, or posting comments on social networking sites.
- 58% of adult Americans have used a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) to do at least one of ten mobile non-voice data activities, such as texting, emailing, taking a picture, looking for maps or directions, or recording video.
- 62% of adults who are currently employed use the internet or email at work and they have mixed views about the impact of technology on their work lives.

Links go to the summaries of the reports but the full set of questions and data are also available.
posted by jessamyn at 9:34 AM on November 16, 2008