Impact of COVID-19 on Mobile Technology use in adults in the United States.

Mobile technology (MT) has become essential in receiving information and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imposed quarantines could have led to varying adaptations of MT use. This study explored how COVID-19 impacted behavior, perception, and attitudes toward MT use in the United States. We distributed a pilot-tested survey online. Participants were MT users ≥ 35 years old. All participants responded based on their recalled experience of using MT before COVID-19 and their recent experience during COVID-19. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The average age of the 1212 participants was 56.1±12.2 years (55% female). Daily use frequency (from ≤3 to ≥4 hours/day) and perceived necessity (from some need to a strong need) during COVID-19 significantly increased (p<0.001) compared to before COVID-19. There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in video calls/meetings, online education, grocery/food delivery, and ordering taxi/car during COVID-19 compared to before. Participants increased (p≤0.001) their attention to the physical, social, and emotional benefits of using MT during the pandemic. COVID-19 increased MT use and acceptance in the United States. The knowledge gained from this study will help remove barriers to using and accepting MT and provide directions for MT development in middle-aged and older populations.