More than a decade into the smartphone boom, Americans are finding new ways to use apps in their everyday lives. Whether it’s ridesharing, ordering delivery for dinner, or tracking time for work, there’s an app for just about everything.
However, all that convenience at the touch of a button comes with the heavy cost of constant pressure to check your phone, even mid-conversation!
A new study by Solitaired.com found 57% of Americans admit to scrolling through their phones out of boredom during a conversation. While 43% take it a step further, and said they’ve faked getting a call, text, or notification to get out of an awkward conversation.
All of this begs the question, what exactly are people looking at?
The survey asked over 1,000 Americans about their guilty pleasure apps and what apps they find the most addicting. Not surprisingly, social media apps claim all of the top five spots for guilty pleasures. YouTube ranks #1, Tiktok #2, Reddit #3, Instagram #4, and Facebook #5.
With all these different ways to connect with friends, family, and even exes more than 8 in 10 Americans say they use social media apps on a daily basis. It’s no wonder the average amount of time people spend hunched over their device is four hours per day!
How does all that time online weigh on our mental health?
The study found the average person has 44 apps on their smartphones. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans said the sheer amount of apps they have downloaded on their smartphones stresses them out.
With the new year already in full swing, it may be high time Americans take stock of what’s on their devices and delete any apps they don’t need or use regularly. However, it can be tough to get rid of certain apps we’ve become so accustomed to checking every single day. 83% of Americans say they’ve deleted an app only to redownload it later. Instagram reigns supreme when it comes to the delete redownload cycle for Americans.
If you’d like to declutter your home screen, it’s best to start thinking about what apps you haven’t used in ages. If you can’t decide for yourself, let your smartphone do the hard work for you! You can do that by going to Settings>General>iPhone Storage. There, you’ll be given recommendations on how to clear up space.
However, there are a handful of apps few Americans would dare delete. The apps Americans said they can not imagine living without include Gmail #1, YouTube #2, Google Browser #3, and there was a tie between Google Maps and Amazon for #4.
The study also looked at how often Americans are paying for their apps. Even as inflation forced us to be choosier about where we spend our money, the survey found Americans are still willing to budget to keep paid apps on their phones. 1 in 3 people spend at least $20 or more on their smartphone apps every month.
According to the study, 9 of the Top 10 apps Americans pay for in Google Play are gaming apps. Minecraft took the top spot, Geometry Dash #2, Bloons TD 6 #3, Rovio Classics: AB #4, Stardew Valley #5, Monopoly #6, Terraria #7, Grand Theft Auto #8, Papers Please #9 and Hot Schedules – an employment time tracking app placed #10 for the top ten paid apps in Google Play.
Meanwhile for Apple, the top paid apps are more focused on productivity. Hot Schedules came in first, Procreate Pocket #2, The Wonder Weeks #3, Shadowrocket #4, 75 Hard #5, Autosleep #6, TouchRetouch, #7, FILCA #8, SkyView #9, and MyMacros+ #10.
Overall, between Apple and Android the top paid apps are centered around streaming. Netflix took the top spot, Disney+ #2 Amazon #3, HBO Max #4, and Spotify #5.
No matter whether you’re using your phone to stay in touch with family and friends, keep a toddler entertained by streaming shows in the backseat, or make sure you’re on top of your fitness goals with workout apps, there’s limitless ways to put your apps to work!
Image Credits: Solitaired.com
