Man and machine become one

Cell phones and the internet have become an essential part of the daily lives of Americans.

When asked how long they would feel OK without online access, 15 percent say one day or less, 21 percent say a couple of days, and 19 percent say a few days. Only one out of five claim they could last a week, writes MarketingCharts.

That's according to a survey of 1,011 people 18+ on digital technologies, conducted between September 7 and 11 by advertising agency JWT, reports the "No Silence Here" blog of Knoxnews.com.

Men were more likely than women to say they could not go without the internet for up to a few days - 59 percent vs. 50 percent - but responses did not vary significantly by age.

Highlighting the nature of the online addiction, 48 percent of respondents agreed, "If I cannot access the Internet when I want to, I feel like something important is missing."

Among the general findings of the JWT survey:

• 28 percent admit that they spend less time socializing face-to-face with peers because of the amount of time spent online or otherwise occupied with their gadgets.
• 20 percent say they're spending less time having sex.
• US users can't go without the internet, cell phones and television - in that order.
• Nearly equal proportions of men and women (60 percent and 58 percent, respectively) agree, "Digital technology is an essential part of how I live." Agreement level decreases as age increases:
  • 66 percent of the youngest cohort agrees.
  • 57 percent of the middle cohort agrees.
  • 49 percent of the oldest cohort agrees.

MarketingCharts provides more data on internet use as well as game-console, audio-layer, WiFi and DVR ownership/use.