Americans' Reliance on Smartphones for Online Access

The internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information, and conduct their day-to-day lives. For over 20 years, the Pew Research Center has been documenting its growth and distribution in the United States.

Internet adoption in the United States has surged since the early 2000s, increasing from approximately 50% of adults to nearly 95% today. This rapid growth has been accompanied by a notable reduction in the digital divide, which refers to the gap in internet access and usage across different demographic groups.

Currently, 15% of adults in the United States are exclusively reliant on smartphones for internet access, meaning they own a smartphone but do not subscribe to home broadband services. This reliance on smartphones is particularly prevalent among individuals with lower household incomes and those with limited formal education.