According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans own a smartphone. Another survey found that 69 percent of kids ages 8 to 18 have one of their own by age 12.
We carry our phones everywhere, using them for everything from keeping in touch with friends to shopping, watching movies, and even attending remote classes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many people say phones have made our lives easier by giving us instant access to the latest news and information. With just the tap of a finger, we can discover new music, check a fact, or look up sports stats.
But is this nonstop reliance on our phones such a good thing? Some people say that the way we use our devices is making us more preoccupied with ourselves and less aware of the world around us.
Are smartphones having a negative effect on our intelligence? Two technology experts weigh in.