The real reasons people use smartphones -- to avoid other people, and because they are bored

Have you ever grabbed your smartphone on your way to the bathroom? Yes, I know you have. All the evidence you need that we are all too dependent on our smartphones. For most of us, that’s a First World problem. But for a surprisingly large segment of the American population, it’s a far more serious problem. Pew Research came out with a study this week (I covered it for Credit.com) showing that about 1 in 5 U.S. adults rely on their smartphones for Internet access because they don’t have a better option. They have no home Net access, or they have bad alternatives. And that group is much more likely to suffer financial-related service interruptions. This is crucial because this group tends to be poor, and uses their phones to find work. Pew calls them “smartphone-dependent,” and it’s something we will have to wrestle with.

The Pew study also had a few other fascinating factoids that many have missed. Here’s one I’ve written about in The Restless Project: nearly half of young people, about one-third of all people, have used a smartphone to AVOID PEOPLE AROUND THEM. I do understand that burying your head in a smartphone can be a sensible choice — female friends of mine often do this when left alone for a moment in bars to ward off creeps. But I get a pretty icky feeling about this finding. Phones as digital, social force-field barrier? Not sure how much I want to live in that world.

I think you should all pay attention to the top number on that chart below exploring why people use smartphones. The real reason people use smartphones is they are BORED. I’ve long said that boredom is the driving force in most American commerce, and there you have it. Just a reminder: there are cheaper ways to avoid being bored than spending $1,200 a year on smartphones.

The Pew report also has a great chart about how much people pay for smartphone service. Where do you stack up? Kudos to that one-third or so who pay less than $50, though I’m a little suspicious of that number. I wonder if consumers who responded included taxes and fees, or even knew what they were really spending, The biggest group pays between $50-$100, but 16 percent have triple-digit bills. NOTE: I’m highlighting solo plans, because they are easier to quantify. Pew’s group plan numbers are a little squishy.