Advertising For Success: We Are Attached to Our Cell Phones

Pew Research Center, the Associated Press and AOL conducted a survey of American cell phone owners and found that the cell phone has become an important communications tool in modern life.

In fact, many cell phone owners would like to add more functions to their cell phones:

Maps - 47 percent
Instant messaging - 38 percent
Search (movie listings, weather reports and stock quotes) - 24 percent
eMail - 24 percent
Text messaging - 13 percent (35 percent already using service)
Still photography - 19 percent

Cell phones have changed our lives, from helping us in emergencies to endangering ourselves and others while driving.

74 percent - have used cell phone to summon and to receive help
44 percent - defer cell calls until they will not use anytime minutes
41 percent - make cell phone calls during free time when traveling, waiting or bored
32 percent of men and 25 percent of women - admitted cell phone usage adversely affects their driving

Surprisingly, cell phones appear to enable us to more easily lie about our location.

39 percent of cell users ages 18-29 are not always honest about where they say they are
22 percent of cell owners admit they are not always truthful about exactly where they are when they are on the phone

Cell phones have replaced our home telephones, played havoc with our personal finances, invaded our personal space and left us open to unwanted advertisements.

86 percent of cell users admit to being disturbed by loud cell users who conduct calls in public places
52 percent of cell phone owners (and 81 percent of cell-only users) say the cell phone is always turned on
36 percent of cell owners have been shocked at the size of their cell phone monthly bills
24 percent of cell-using adults feel they must answer their cell phones even if it interrupts a meeting or a meal
23 percent of cell phone owners who currently have landline phones say they are likely to convert to cell phone use only
22 percent believe too many people call them because they have a cell phone
18 percent of cell phone owners have received unsolicited text advertising on their phones
8 percent admit to bothering others while using their cell phones in public