12/20: At What Age Should Children Have Cell Phones?

If the youngster in your life is begging you for a cell phone this holiday season, try this one on for size.  The average age Americans believe is appropriate for a child to acquire his or her first cell phone is approximately 14 years old. ©istockphoto.com/manley099 Regardless of age, region, gender, or whether one has children or not, there is consensus on this question. A plurality of U.S. adults — 43% — think 15 to 18 years old is the appropriate age for a child to begin carrying a cell phone. Table: Age of First Cell Phone (Average) Table: Age of First Cell Phone Marist Poll... 

10/29: Texting While Driving: “Do As I Say, Not As I Do,” Say Younger Americans

There’s good news for public safety officials.  82% of Americans report they never text while driving.  9% say it’s seldom they text while they drive, and 5% admit to doing it sometimes. 4%, though, say they often text while behind the wheel. ©istockphoto.com/MSRPhoto Younger Americans are the culprits when it comes to this touchy practice.  About one in five residents under 30 admit to at least sometimes texting while driving.  Another 18% do so but not very often.  60% say they never text while they drive.  In contrast, less than 4% of Americans between 45 and 59 years old... 

6/12: Cell Phone Nation

If you enter any public space these days, the number of people chatting on their cell phones might make you think nearly everyone owns a wireless device.  According to this Marist Poll, that’s not far from the case.  87% of U.S. residents say they own a cell phone.  Among Americans with jobs, the figure is even higher with 92% reporting they’ve gone wireless. ©istockphoto.com/Macroworld When it comes to walking and talking, age is a determining factor: 94% of Americans under 45 have cell phones, whereas slightly more than eight in ten Americans 45 or older tote the devices.   Not surprisingly,... 

6/12: PDA’s: Luxury or Necessity?

Although most Americans say they own a cell phone, more than eight in ten residents are not on the PDA bandwagon.  In fact, just 16% report they own a personal digital assistant like a Blackberry, Palm, or iPhone.  The proportion grows, however, when looking at employed residents.  Nearly one-quarter of those with jobs say they carry this type of portable device. ©istockphoto.com/dovestudios And, while Americans who earn an annual salary of $50,000 or more a year are nearly eight times more likely to have purchased a PDA than those who earn less, employed residents are more likely to carry...