Connectivity and Mobile Trends

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Consumers Benefit From Virtual Experiences, but Need Help Managing Screen Time, Security and Tech Overload

Deloitte’s latest “Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey” illustrates the ways people are using connected devices and technology to improve their daily lives while fine-tuning the balance between virtual and physical activities.

Key Takeaways

In recent years, U.S. households have remained filled with technology devices; however, the numbers of entertainment and smart home devices have dipped slightly. On average, households now own a total of 22 connected devices, down from 25 previously.

Remote experiences endure even as pandemic effects ease, with 45% of surveyed consumers saying one or more household members work from home at least occasionally, down from earlier figures. Additionally, 23% report that one or more household members attend school remotely at times, down from previously reported levels.

Virtual health care appointments remain popular, with 49% of surveyed consumers saying they’ve attended at least one virtual medical appointment as a patient in the past year. More than 6 in 10 students who attended remote learning over the past year reported their family and classmate/teacher relationships and well-being either stayed the same or improved.

More than half of those surveyed are worried about the security vulnerability of their smartphones (54%) and smart home devices (52%); 40% of users are concerned about data security on their smartwatches and fitness trackers. Twenty-four percent of consumers say they’re overwhelmed by the devices and subscriptions they need to manage, down from previously reported figures. For smart home technology, 27% of users reported these devices add too much complexity to their lives.

Why This Matters?

The shift to digital interactions accelerated rapidly, forcing consumers into a heavily virtual environment for work, school, health care, and even exercise. They added new devices, upgraded networks, and adapted quickly – even if it was sometimes overwhelming. The latest edition of Deloitte’s survey illustrates how consumers have since adapted to and even embraced virtual approaches while managing their digital lives.

Consumers Look to “Master Their Digital Worlds”

This year, fewer people are working and learning from home, leaving some homes less crowded and reducing pressure on people, devices, and networks. Consumers are finding a balance between virtual and physical activities; they’re optimizing their devices and choosing to continue with the virtual services they prefer.

Over the past year, 15% of consumers with home internet upgraded their services to achieve higher speeds, and 44% purchased Wi-Fi extenders or mesh network equipment to increase coverage throughout their homes. A majority (87%) reported that their new equipment improved Wi-Fi performance. Among those who use smart home devices, 68% say the technology helps them feel safer. Among those with a smart thermostat, 69% say their device helps reduce their energy costs.

Consumers Appreciate 5G, but Many Still Seek Apps and Services Designed for 5G

For consumers looking for their next smartphone, 5G ranks as the third most important feature, behind battery life and data storage. 5G is the second-most important motivator for the 24% of respondents who are likely to switch mobile providers in the near future. Sixty-eight percent of respondents with smartphones purchased in the last year report they have 5G capability (up from previously reported figures).

Forty-eight percent of 5G smartphone users say the service exceeds their expectations, and another 45% say it meets their expectations. However, 73% of 5G smartphone users want a better understanding of what new things they can do with 5G, and 30% are disappointed by a perceived lack of innovative apps and services leveraging 5G.

Key Quote

“Despite challenges brought on by the pandemic, it also proved to be a unique opportunity for many of us to explore digital tools more deeply and accelerate how we apply them. What we’ve gleaned from this year’s Connectivity and Mobile Trends survey is that consumers are gaining mastery over their digital lives – they are more intentional about which activities they want to take part in virtually and deciding those that are better suited for being there in person.” – Paul Silverglate, vice chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology sector leader.

Work-from-home has Decreased but Remains an Important Component of Today’s Work Life

Remote work has declined but remains a key part of the modern workplace. Forty-five percent of surveyed consumers said one or more household members work remotely at least occasionally, down from earlier figures. Among employed adults, 47% reported they have worked from home at least some of the time over the past year.

Those with remote work experience strongly prefer virtual or hybrid options for the future. Ninety-nine percent of those who have been working from home recently said they appreciated aspects of the arrangement. The benefits they valued most were avoiding commutes, added comfort, reduced risk of illness, improved focus, and better family connections.

More than 8 in 10 remote workers say their family relationships, professional relationships, and well-being have either remained the same or improved. Seventy-six percent of employed adults who worked from home prefer to keep hybrid or remote options available, while only 21% want to work mostly or completely in-person.

Virtual Health Care is Here to Stay – Smartphones and Wearables Boost Fitness

Forty-nine percent of consumers said they attended at least one virtual medical appointment as a patient in the past year – with millennials leading the trend at 59%. Ninety-two percent of consumers now say they’re somewhat or very satisfied with their virtual medical visits – up 10 points from previous reports. Respondents said that convenience and ease of scheduling are top benefits of virtual health care. However, they also cited ongoing challenges, including the lack of face-to-face connection, difficulties collecting vital signs, and technical issues.

Key Quote

“The shift to a digital-first lifestyle has become more normalized, but managing digital complexity remains a challenge for consumers. We’re seeing that users want more control over their digital experiences, and tech companies should address these concerns by making security and usage controls more intuitive and accessible.” – Jana Arbanas, vice chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. telecom, media, and entertainment sector leader.

Alleviating Consumer Concerns

While consumers see benefits in their devices and virtual activities, they still have concerns about privacy, screen time, and managing technology. Security and privacy remain key concerns – Fifty percent of respondents worry about security breaches (e.g., hackers stealing personal data), and 41% are concerned about unauthorized access through their devices. Nearly half (49%) of smart home users worry about hackers controlling their connected devices.

Parents and children express concerns about screen time – Both groups struggle to limit screen time, with 60% of teenagers admitting they find it difficult to cut back. Tech fatigue persists – One-quarter (24%) of consumers say they are overwhelmed by the number of devices and subscriptions they need to manage, though this figure has decreased from earlier reports.