It’s difficult to separate many Americans from their cell phones, even when they’re asleep. Among those who own a cell phone, 65% of adults say that they have slept with their phone on or right next to their bed. Nearly all young adults (ages 18-29) make sure their phones are never too far away at night; fully 90% sleep with their cell phone on or right next to their bed. By comparison, 70% of 30-to-49 year olds with phones sleep with their phones close, as do 50% of 50-to-64 year olds and 34% of those ages 65 and older. Not surprisingly, heavy cell phone users — both those who use their phones to constantly text message and those who use it to make numerous voice calls — are more likely to sleep with their phones. Adults who have slept with or near their phones are also more likely to feel positively about their phone. Read More

Russell Heimlich  is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.