Here’s What Nearly Half of Adults Are Doing As They Watch TV [Infographic]

The digital era has fundamentally altered the way people consume media. This applies to television programs in particular.

Thirty years ago, most people watched three network channels plus PBS. The expansion of cable changed this behavior some, but it wasn’t until the invention of the smartphone that television viewing evolved dramatically.

Today, 40 percent of American adults employ second screen technology when they watch their favorite programs. The most popular devices such as the new iPhone 6 from T-Mobile provide a way to augment the television viewing experience. Studies show that second screen users catch up on email, surf the web, and text their friends with their cellphones. It’s a core aspect of the 21st century living room. It’s been found that 69 percent of households with a child under 18 employ second screens. With only one television, it’s a way for a family to compromise on what they watch while still spending time together.

That also means that second screen viewing indoctrinates a new generation of children into a new style of media consumption. Kids use their laptop, smartphone, or tablet to entertain themselves when they get bored by the television show their parents chose. They also use this time to research the cast members of the programs, past and future plot points, and even shop for the clothes and music aired during the episodes.

The next generation of adults is already learning how to multitask thanks to the power of the smartphone. From a young age, they’re mastering technologies that didn’t even exist 20 years ago. Look at the attached infographic to learn more about the impact of second screen technology on families.

[Editor’s note: this is a sponsored post.]