Final answer:
In 2014, mobile devices accounted for a notable share of U.S. internet usage, with about 50% of minority groups using phones for web access, compared to one-third of white individuals. Reports from the Pew Research Center show trends that indicate an increase in mobile internet use and smartphone ownership among American adults.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2014, mobile devices accounted for a significant portion of all U.S. internet usage. According to data from the Pew Research Center, there was a notable digital divide in mobile internet access among different racial groups. About 50 percent of minority groups, such as Hispanics and African Americans, used their phones to connect to the internet, while this was true for only around one-third of white individuals.
The Pew Research Center's 2011 report indicated that 35% of American adults owned a smartphone. By 2012, the Pew Research Center found that the majority of people in the United States had a smartphone. Mobile phones were not just for communication, evidenced by the 2020 survey showing 54% of phone users used messaging services, and mobile connectivity was indeed shaping the social experience. While specific percentages for 2014 are not directly provided, these trends suggest a continuous increase in reliance on mobile devices for internet access.
Smartphone ownership and dependency on mobile internet continued to shape how different demographics engaged with the web. Tasks like filling out job applications were more difficult on a mobile device compared to a wired computer, highlighting the various implications of the digital divide in access to empowering technology versus entertainment-only platforms.