Switching Between Devices Normal for 40% of U.S. Web Users [Facebook Study]

With the adoption of Internet-enabled mobile devices continuing to increase, more than 40 percent of all online U.S. users start an activity on one device and finish on another, according to a recent study from Facebook.

The study, “Finding Simplicity in a Multi-Device World,” was commissioned by Facebook and conducted by GfK, an international market research agency.

Among online users who own two devices, more than half of respondents (53 percent) in the study switch between two devices to complete tasks or activities. Close to 80 percent of people who own three devices do the same. Laptops represent 58 percent of all the device switches in the study and tablets represent 22 percent.

Related: Multi-Platform Media Usage Is Not a Zero Sum Game

In addition, the study shows that people use each device for a different purpose:

• Smartphones serve as a go-to device, as 76 percent of mobile users use smartphones when they are outside. And smartphones are mainly used for communication and social activity.
• Tablets are often used at home and 43 percent of people use them for entertainment and sharing.
• Laptops or desktops are used for productivity. Four-fifths of online adults own a laptop or desktop and use it at home to manage finances and important assignments.

And what are the most popular activities across devices? Using Facebook and email, according to the study.

GfK surveyed more than 2,000 people in the U.S. to explore changes in the multi-device world. You can read the full study from Facebook here.