Verizon's 2024 Consumer Connections Report reveals how Americans are embracing connectivity like never before, using digital tools to enhance experiences, simplify routines and ensure security.

Why it's important: The report underscores that technology is no longer just a convenience — it's a fundamental part of our lives.

• From game days to holiday travel, from smart homes to digital parenting, the way we connect is more dynamic than ever.

🔍 Explore the report's key trends.

1. Keeping families connected and protected

Parents are leveraging technology to balance independence and safety for their children, ensuring they stay connected while maintaining control over their digital exposure.

An example: Caregivers utilized Verizon's Gizmo Watch, a tool that helps safely introduce kids to wireless technology, to make 3.3 million calls per month to Gizmo Watch wearers.

• At the same time, caregivers utilized Verizon Family to set content controls on their children's devices. 62% of caregivers blocked objectionable content and 54% restricted social media access.

What this means: Caregivers find value in digital connection, but they're also taking a proactive approach to ensure their families have the proper training wheels in place to make smart, safe connectivity choices.

2. Smart homes, smart living

Families are embracing smart home technology, using connected devices to power daily routines, improve security and enhance entertainment.

Smart home adoption is growing — 42–45% of U.S. internet households now own at least one smart home device, with smart doorbells and thermostats among the most popular.

Key numbers: The average Verizon internet household now has 18 connected devices.

• On average, Monthly data consumption reached 656GB per Verizon home internet household in 2024, marking a 6% year-over-year increase.

What this means: Home connectivity is no longer just about Wi-Fi — it's about creating seamless, smart and secure living environments​.

3. Retail's new "phygital" reality

Shopping is evolving, blending physical in-person experiences with digital convenience to create a hybrid "phygital" retail landscape.

In 2024, 23% of customer purchases were made online, with customers under 35 being more likely to shop digitally.

• On the other hand: Brick-and-mortar stores are making a post-pandemic comeback, with customers over 55 preferring an in-person retail experience. 62% of customer purchases in 2024 were made in Verizon retail stores.

What this means: The future of shopping isn't just digital or physical — it's a fluid mix of both, catering to how consumers want to shop.

4. Game days go digital

NFL fans aren't just watching — they're engaging, streaming and sharing in real time, making stadiums more connected than ever.

The impact: In 2024, 960 terabytes of data were used across NFL stadiums during the regular season. Additionally, average mobility usage per game was up 37% over last season.

• Fans racked up 4.3 million call minutes during games.
• Video accounted for 25% of total mobile data usage at stadiums.

What this means: Stadiums are no longer just venues for live sports — they're digital arenas where fans immerse themselves in the experience and share it with others.

5. Holidays are for connecting

Whether traveling or celebrating at home, Americans relied on connectivity to stay close to loved ones during the holiday season.

Here's how: Families kept in touch using phone calls. New Year's Eve was the busiest holiday of the year with 553.5 million phone calls.

• Meanwhile, holiday travelers across U.S. airports kept themselves entertained, consuming 17.7 million gigabytes of mobile data — enough to stream a holiday movie 36 million times.

What this means: Technology is redefining holiday traditions, making connection seamless whether you're across the dinner table or across the country.

💡 The takeaway: Verizon's 2024 Consumer Connections Report serves as a window into how connectivity is shaping people's lives — how tech habits reveal deeper shifts in how they interact, work and connect.

• These insights offer a roadmap for businesses and service providers to better understand consumer needs, enabling more personalized, seamless and secure technology solutions that enhance daily life.

Read Verizon's latest Consumer Connections Report.