What we know about internet use, smartphone ownership and digital divides in the U.S. – Pew Research Center

Report on Technology Adoption and Digital Divides in the United States (2025)

Introduction

This report presents findings from the Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey on technology adoption in the United States, with a focus on broadband internet subscription, smartphone ownership, and internet usage patterns. The analysis highlights persistent digital divides across demographic groups, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to technology in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Internet Usage Patterns in the U.S.

Frequency of Internet Use

According to the 2025 survey, internet use is widespread among U.S. adults:

• 90% of U.S. adults use the internet daily.
• 41% report being online almost constantly.

This high level of connectivity supports SDG 9 by fostering innovation and infrastructure development through digital inclusion.

Demographic Variations in Internet Use

While daily internet use is common across all groups, near-constant use varies significantly:

1. Age: 63% of adults aged 18-29 use the internet almost constantly, compared to only 14% of those aged 65 and older.
2. Income: 50% of adults in households earning $100,000 or more are almost constantly online, whereas 34% of those earning under $30,000 report similar usage.
3. Race and Ethnicity: 59% of Asian adults, 47% of Hispanic adults, 44% of Black adults, and 37% of White adults use the internet almost constantly.

These disparities highlight challenges related to SDG 10, emphasizing the need to reduce inequalities in digital access.

Broadband Internet Subscription

Overall Subscription Rates

Approximately 78% of Americans report subscribing to broadband internet at home, which includes various high-speed internet technologies such as wireless routers, cable, and satellite.

Demographic Disparities in Broadband Access

Significant divides exist in broadband subscription rates:

• Income: Only 54% of adults in households earning less than $30,000 annually subscribe to broadband, compared to 94% in households earning $100,000 or more.
• Race and Ethnicity: Subscription rates are 81% for White adults, 71% for Black adults, 68% for Hispanic adults, and 86% for Asian adults.
• Community Type: Suburban residents have the highest subscription rate at 84%, followed by rural (71%) and urban residents (75%).

These findings underscore the importance of SDG 9 and SDG 11, as equitable broadband access is critical for sustainable urban and rural development.

Trends Over Time

• Broadband subscription rates have remained relatively stable in recent years.
• There has been a slight decline in subscription among young adults (18-29) from 78% in 2023 to 71% in 2025.
• Hispanic adults’ subscription rates decreased from 75% in 2023 to 68% in 2025.

Smartphone Ownership and Dependency

Prevalence of Smartphone Ownership

Smartphone ownership is widespread across the U.S. population:

• 97% of adults under 50 own a smartphone.
• 90% of adults aged 50 to 64 own a smartphone.
• 78% of adults aged 65 and older own a smartphone.

This widespread ownership supports SDG 9 by enabling access to information and communication technologies.

Smartphone Dependency for Internet Access

Some Americans rely exclusively on smartphones for internet access, defined as “smartphone dependent” (owning a smartphone but not subscribing to home broadband):

• 16% of all U.S. adults are smartphone dependent.
• 27% of adults aged 18-29 are smartphone dependent.
• 34% of adults in households earning less than $30,000 annually are smartphone dependent, compared to 4% in households earning $100,000 or more.
• 28% of Hispanic adults and 19% of Black adults are smartphone dependent, compared to 13% of White adults and 11% of Asian adults.

These disparities highlight ongoing digital inequalities, emphasizing the need to address SDG 10.

Trends in Smartphone Dependency

• Smartphone dependency has doubled from 8% in 2013 to 16% in 2025.
• Among Hispanic adults, smartphone dependency increased from 20% in 2023 to 28% in 2025.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Broadband and smartphone adoption are essential for building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive innovation.
• High rates of internet use facilitate access to digital services and economic opportunities.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Persistent gaps in broadband subscription and internet use by income, age, and race/ethnicity demonstrate the digital divide.
• Efforts to close these gaps are critical to ensuring equitable access to technology and information.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Access to broadband in urban, suburban, and rural communities supports sustainable development and connectivity.
• Addressing disparities in community broadband access is vital for inclusive urban and rural growth.

Conclusion

The 2025 Pew Research Center survey reveals that while most Americans have access to broadband internet and smartphones, significant disparities remain across demographic groups. These digital divides pose challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to infrastructure, inequality reduction, and sustainable communities. Targeted policies and initiatives are necessary to promote digital inclusion and ensure that all individuals can benefit from technological advancements.

References

• Pew Research Center. (2026). Internet Use, Smartphone Ownership, and Digital Divides in the U.S.
• United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • The article discusses broadband internet subscription and smartphone ownership, which are critical components of building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article highlights digital divides based on income, age, race, and community type, addressing inequalities in access to technology and internet connectivity.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Access to broadband and smartphones facilitates digital learning and education opportunities, indirectly supporting quality education.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Access to internet and technology supports economic growth and employment opportunities by enabling digital participation.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 9 Targets

   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020 (relevant as the article focuses on broadband and smartphone access in the U.S., highlighting gaps and progress).

2. SDG 10 Targets

   • Target 10.b: Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to states where the need is greatest, to help reduce inequalities (implied by addressing digital divides and inequalities in technology access).
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status (directly related to reducing digital divides among demographic groups).

3. SDG 4 Targets

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship (access to broadband and smartphones supports skill development).

4. SDG 8 Targets

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation (internet access is a key enabler).

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Indicators Related to SDG 9

   • Percentage of individuals subscribing to broadband internet at home.
   • Percentage of individuals owning smartphones.
   • Frequency of internet use (e.g., daily use, almost constant use).

2. Indicators Related to SDG 10

   • Disaggregation of broadband subscription and smartphone ownership by income levels.
   • Disaggregation by age groups.
   • Disaggregation by race and ethnicity.
   • Disaggregation by community type (urban, suburban, rural).
   • Percentage of smartphone-dependent individuals (those who have a smartphone but no home broadband subscription).

3. Indicators Related to SDG 4 and SDG 8 (Implied)

   • Access to digital tools and internet as a proxy for enabling education and economic participation.
   • Trends over time in technology adoption rates.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: pewresearch.org