The use of mobile phones and the internet in the US looks to have almost reached saturation point with the percentage of adults using each remaining more-or-less unchanged since 2016.

According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of US adults who own mobile phones has stayed at 95 per cent since 2016. Within this, much like two years ago, 77 per cent of those own smartphones, and 69 per cent use social media. Internet usage grew slightly from 88 to 89 per cent, as did tablet usage from 51 to 53 per cent. The only decline recorded came in the number of PC owners, which fell from 78 to 73 per cent between 2016 and 2018.

Though it may seem there is no more room to grow for the above technologies, many non-users are prevented from embracing new technologies because financial issues. Notably, desktop or laptop computer and tablet ownership is at its highest in households with an income of over $75,000. Meanwhile, others are unable to embrace new technologies due to limited access to high speed internet and older people say they sometimes lack confidence with new technologies.

Amongst smartphone users, the percentage of people that consider themselves to be ‘smartphone-only’ internet users has increased from 12 to 20 per cent since 2016. And adults using Instagram has increased from 28 to 35 per cent, despite overall social media usage plateauing.