Deloitte’s fourth annual “2023 Connected Consumer Survey” suggests that people are largely embracing a digital lifestyle. The report, which includes input from more than 2,000 U.S. consumers, illustrates an increasing reliance on devices and technology in virtually all facets of their lives — from their careers to their shopping habits to their healthcare and more.
For example, one in five 5G smartphone users are more likely to pay for items with their phones and use them as hotspots than they were before they had 5G. One in four of these users are more likely to stream videos than they were before. Over 60% of consumers with smartphones say they have 5G, up from 50% in 2022.
In addition, one in five respondents surveyed (17%) experimented with generative artificial intelligence (AI) or used it for projects or tasks – and 72% of those respondents plan to keep using AI technology.
Although Deloitte acknowledges that there clearly are issues that must be addressed, “a strong sense of resilience and adaptability” has emerged. The report also found that people are asking for increased support from tech companies to innovate and provide security.
“Deloitte’s Connected Consumer survey paints a vivid picture of a society that is learning to use technology wisely,” Paul Silverglate, vice chair of Deloitte LLP and a U.S. technology sector leader, said in a prepared statement about the digital lifestyle report. “Consumers are no longer amassing devices; they’re carefully selecting them with purpose to foster digital harmony.”
Here are the key takeaways from the digital lifestyle report:
- A total of 48 percent of households bought at least one new connected device in 2023 – and 16 percent added three or more. Households now have an average of 21 devices, down from 25 in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A total of 41% dislike managing their devices, and 28% are “overwhelmed” by the number of devices they own and the subscriptions they have.
- Employee preference for hybrid work increased by 7 percentage points in 2023 because of better relationships with family and co-workers and improved health and well-being.
- Most people who have had a virtual health visit would prefer virtual or hybrid options in the future for psychological health and chronic conditions.
- Parents reported that while connected devices enhance learning, enable new experiences and keep kids organized, they also worried about potential harms and set boundaries on their kids’ device usage.
- Fifty-eight percent worry about device security, up from 50% in 2022. The same percentage worry that organizations or people could track them through their devices (up from 41% in 2022). In fact, 34 percent of consumers surveyed were victims of at least one security breach – and 16 percent experienced two or more breaches.
“From embracing a more conscious approach to device consumption to adapting to the changing landscape of virtual health care and hybrid work,” Silverglate said, “the findings underscore the ingenuity and resilience of the modern consumer. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities for companies to innovate and respond to these evolving needs.”
Updated to clarify that one in five 5G smartphone users are more likely to pay for items with their phones and use them as hotspots than they were before they had 5G and that one in four of these users are more likely to stream videos than they were before
