Increased use of mobile technology like smartphones and tablets has affected the amount of work done in the United States outside of traditional office hours, according to a new Gallup poll.
Seven out of ten Americans own either a smartphone or a tablet, according to the poll. Though these devices were not around two decades ago, they have already had a major impact on the way that Americans work and communicate.
Two-thirds of employed Americans have seen their workloads increase outside of the workplace due to mobile technology, according to the poll.
Millennials and Generation X were the age groups that saw the largest increase in work due to mobile technology. Respondents in the age range of 18-29 years and 30-49 years each had 37% of respondents reporting mobile-based work increases.
Workload increases were less likely among older age groups. Twenty-five percent of respondents ages 50-64 and 15% of ages 65+ said that mobile technology increased their amount of work outside of the office.
Other forms of communication have also been impacted with the increased use of mobile technology, most notably increased communication with friends and family.
Seventy-six percent of 18-29 year olds, 71% of 30-49 year olds, 55% of 50-64 year olds and 37% of people ages 65+ said that they are more in touch with their loved ones because of mobile technology.
Political involvement and participation in campaigns also increased due to mobile technology. Millennials say the biggest increase (21%) and Americans over 65 years old saw the smallest increase (12%).
The poll surveyed 1,505 people across the U.S. from March 21-23.
Gallup intends to do additional research to see whether the work increases due to mobile technology are having a positive or negative impact.
