While still in bed each morning, most young adults check
their smartphones for text messages. They peruse their Facebook feeds while
brushing their teeth. They update their status online over coffee.
Connectivity is part of daily life for college students
and young professionals aged 18 to 30, according to Cisco’s 2012 ConnectedWorld Technology Report.
The new study could be somewhat skewed—most of the
nonstudent survey respondents work in information technology fields—but the
results still confirm this age group is firmly welded to their smartphones.
Some 90% said they look at their mobile devices first thing every morning for
messages and 60%, especially females, repeatedly recheck throughout the day.
Roughly half admit they text and do social media during meals with family and
friends at the table.
Cisco claims this compelling need to connect is
“meaningful” for employers because “it demonstrates that the workforce of the
future is more agile, more informed, and more responsive than any previous
generation.” Employers may be more concerned about whether young workers are
distracted by their smartphones.
There was one surprising outcome of the study: Despite
all the time they spend with smartphones, this age cohort doesn’t download a
lot of apps. About 70% said they have fewer than 10 apps on their phones. Half
mainly use apps for games and entertainment, and another 27% have work-related
apps.
