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1. Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults say they sometimes take a digital detox from social media and/or devices, driven by a desire to connect with others in person.
As national well-being declines, 78% of Americans are now intentionally disconnecting from social media and devices to protect their emotional health. According to new CivicScience data, the primary motivator is a desire for in-person connection and activities. Meanwhile, about two in five adults say they unplug to escape information overload and digital burnout. Advertising fatigue and avoiding specific people or pages, meanwhile, are less common drivers of this digital detoxing.
Let Us Know: How often do you intentionally unplug from digital devices?
2. Seventy-two percent of U.S. adults say they eat certain foods depending on the time of the year, with soups, stews, and chili leading winter eats.
Seasonal eating is a dominant force in American consumer habits, with 72% of respondents telling CivicScience they adjust their diets based on the time of year. A key driver of this trend is digital engagement: consumers who say their food purchases are influenced ‘a lot’ by social media are nearly three times more likely to eat seasonally compared to those whose purchases are not influenced by social media (68% to 23%, respectively).
When examining winter-specific preferences, a clear divide emerges based on geography. While soups, stews, and chili (60%) lead as the most popular cold-weather category, the Midwest emerges as the epicenter for traditional winter “comfort” categories like casseroles and roasts, whereas Western consumers lean toward indulgence via hot beverages and baked goods (among those who alter diets during the winter). Notably, Southerners are the least likely to change their eating habits, likely because of their more temperate winter climates.
Weigh In: What is your favorite winter-time comfort dish?
3. Non-traditional means, such as streaming and digital antennas, carve out a significant share of Super Bowl LX viewership.
This year’s Super Bowl was the second-most-watched in history. CivicScience data show that while 41% report they watched at home via cable or satellite, a sizable share either watched the game on streaming platforms (27%) or over the air with a digital antenna (16%). Cable viewing was especially prevalent among Baby Boomers (65+). Meanwhile, at-home streaming and digital antenna use were most popular among Gen Z (18-29). While these generational divides are largely expected, it is worth noting that one in five of those 65+ reported watching the game on a streaming platform, hinting they shouldn’t be overlooked as a demographic leaning into video streaming.
