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Editorial
For many, mobile Internet access is only access
Monday, July 13, 2015
There were cell phones before June 29, 2007, but they haven't been the same since.
That was the day Apple introduced its first iPhone, and it's becoming more and more unusual to see someone answer a mobile call with the Star Trek-like flip phones that were the standard at the turn of the 21st century.
It's possible to access the Internet on a "feature phone" to a certain extent, but for many people a smart phone is their only means of surfing the Web.
Actually, "surfing" may not always be accurate, since, increasingly, banking, business and official communications are taking place over smart phones and other Internet devices.
While 36 percent of U.S. adults don't own a smart phone at all, an important segment of the population relies on theirs to go online.
Fifteen percent of people 18-29, 12 percent of Blacks, 13 percent of Hispanics and 13 percent of people with incomes under $30,000 a year have no other way to get on the Internet.
But how do smart phone users actually use theirs?
According to Pew, a quarter say they need them to find directions, 13 percent to meet up, 10 percent to get in touch, 9 percent for finding online information, 9 percent for emailing, 6 percent for shopping and 2 percent for online banking.
Nearly 80 percent of us say our smart phones make us feel productive, 77 percent happy, and 57 percent grateful. At the same time, however, another 57 percent say they are distracted and 36 percent frustrated.
Cell phone addiction is a real thing -- constantly checking Facebook and Twitter, texting while driving and other inappropriate times -- to the point that some are seeking rehab to break the habit.
Yes, cell phones and Internet access are important, especially to the young people we hope to attract to our community.
The Gazette has responded as well, posting news online for more than a decade and adding a pretty good mobile website -- m.mccookgazette.com -- that doesn't require installation of a smart phone app.
But people young and old need to be reminded from time to time to put down the cell phone, talk to the people around them and take in real experiences as the occur.