Accessing Facebook Ranks Third Among Smartphone Activities

We hardly need a study to tell us that mobile users are addicted to Facebook, but lest there be any doubt, a survey by International Data Corporation (IDC) puts the issue to rest. The survey, which was commissioned by Facebook, focuses on how smartphones and social keep us engaged, and there are some interesting findings. One in particular is just how far up the mobile food chain Facebook has climbed.

The online survey pinged 7,446 U.S. adults ages 18-44 years old that own an iPhone or Android smartphone and found that 70 percent check Facebook on the go. There were only two other activities that were more popular: web browsing (73 percent) and email (78 percent). Facebooking from a smartphone ranked even higher than playing games (60 percent).

Facebook on Smartphone
Image Source: Flickr (Johan Larsson)

Smartphones have become an integral part of everyday life, and for many, it starts as soon as the alarm goes off in the morning. Among all respondents, 79 percent said they reach for their phone within 15 minutes of waking up, and 62 percent reach for it immediately. Those percentages are even higher among the 18-24 year old demographic, at 89 percent and 74 percent, respectively.

When it comes to total time spent on a smartphone, Facebook dominates all other activities, accounting for 1 out of every 4 minutes of usage. On the weekend, the average smartphone owner spends 41.6 minutes on Facebook per day (Friday through Sunday), and 19.5 minutes during weekdays.