It’s a simple fact: Advances in technology have had a profound effect on everyday life for Americans. Use of cell phones, computers and other technologies has exploded over the past two decades.
In 1990, 5.3 million Americans owned cell phones. By 2010 that number jumped to 302.9 million – almost one for every U.S. resident.
In 1989, 15 percent of Americans had a computer in their home. By 2010, 77 percent could say the same, and many of them had multiple computers. Some Americans who don’t own a computer access the Internet via their smartphones. Only about 1 in 5 American adults do not use the Internet.
And increasingly, we’re using our computers to shop. E-commerce grew from 0.6 percent of retail sales in 1999 to 5.1 percent by mid-2012. Want to guess what we like most to buy online? More e-stuff: computers, software, electronics.
There are more details in our infographic. “What Do Others Say?” has additional takes on technology’s impact.Tell us what you think in the discussion below. Is all this technology in our lives a good thing?
