Final answer:
Users' interactions with mobile devices have shifted towards increased dependency, with a rise in smartphone ownership and changing communication preferences favoring messaging over calls. Concerns over the social and decision-making implications of this dependency have also surfaced as technology advances rapidly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The way users hold mobile devices has evolved significantly, paralleling the technological advancements and changing patterns of smartphone usage. With social media and constant connectivity becoming integral to daily life, there has been a notable shift in the symbiotic relationship between people and their phones. According to a Pew Research Center study from 2012, smartphone dependency has grown, with 67% of users checking their phones even without notifications and 44% sleeping with their phones. Moreover, in 2011, 35% of American adults owned a smartphone, signaling a growing trend toward mobile connectivity.
In recent years, messaging has surpassed voice calls in usage, with a 2020 survey indicating that 54% of users prioritize messaging over 40% who use their phones primarily for calls. This signifies a transition in communication preferences among users. Additionally, there is growing concern over the impact of smartphone dependency on societal decision-making, as technological evolution outpaces the collective human response.