Sweet Cell Phone Dreams

In another sign of just how attached individuals have become to their cell phones, two thirds of adults say they have slept with their mobile device or placed it next to their bed at night, according to a survey released on Thursday by the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

As expected, younger cell phone users are more likely to bed down with their phone, with 90 percent of 18 to 29 year olds saying they do so. Only 50 percent of 50 to 64 year olds say they curl up with their cell phone.

Sleeping with a cell phone also varies among race. About 62 percent of non-Hispanic whites say they retire to their bedroom with their mobile device in tow compared with 78 percent of blacks and 75 percent of English-speaking Hispanics.

And the trend varies among income levels, with lower-income Americans more likely to keep their cell phone at the ready at night. About 73 percent of people making less than $30,000 a year sleep with their cell phone compared with 70 percent for $30,000 to $49,999, and 61 percent and 64 percent for those who earn between $50,000 and $74,999, and more than $75,000, respectively.