South Koreans use smartphones more than three hours a day on average, research showed Tuesday, with the younger generation becoming more dependent on the mobile device.

The survey from the beginning of this year to September showed daily smartphone usage at 3 hours and 39 minutes, more than double the 1 hour and 31 minutes in 2012. The survey was carried out by Digieco, a research center run by South Korea’s mobile carrier KT Corp.

Those in their 20s spent the longest time of 4 hours and 41 minutes on handsets, followed by teenagers at 3 hours and 59 minutes and those in their 30s at 3 hours and 40 minutes. People in their 50s spent 2 hours and 31 minutes on the device.

Eighty-five percent of the time was spent using applications, such as social networking services. The remaining 15 percent was spent on browsing the Internet.

“While people’s daily routines have become much more comfortable because of smartphones, the trend also has brought about changes in lifestyles as people spend less time on their thoughts, taking breaks, and reading books, magazines and newspapers,” Digieco said. (Yonhap)