The Yin and Yang of smartphones: an interview study of smartphone use and its effects

Established Adults, Who Self-Identify as Smartphone and/or Social Media Overusers, Struggle to Balance Smartphone Use for Personal and Work Purposes

Smartphone ownership and use continues to proliferate, allowing people to easily access online communication, entertainment, and information. Importantly, individuals can perceive that they overuse their smartphone and/or the social media applications (apps) they access on their devices. Much of the research on smartphone overuse has focused on youth and emerging adults, with little research focusing on individuals in the established adulthood stage of life. This study examines smartphone use among established adults who perceive that they overuse their smartphone and/or social media. As part of a larger study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 21 individuals (30-45 years old) who self-identified as smartphone and/or social media overusers. Data were collected through a pre-survey, 1-hour interview, and smartphone use screenshots. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and then coded using NVivo software. Participants' average age was 35.9 years (SD = 4.1). The majority of the sample were female (67%), White (76%), and had a master's degree or higher (76%). Participants spent an average of 215 min on their smartphone daily, primarily using social media, video conferencing, and texting apps. Issues with smartphone use occurred when there was an unclear separation between work and personal use. Participants felt pressure to always respond quickly to work emails. An effort was made to limit smartphone use for work and during family time to be present for their family. Established adults strive to balance smartphone use for personal and work purposes. Creating boundaries for how and when established adults use their smartphone may help them find this balance.

Disconnectedness in a connected world: why people ignore messages and calls

Purpose

People are living in a world where they maintain connectivity through sending and receiving messages and calls. Yet, almost daily, people choose not to respond to certain messages or calls, which can make the sender anxious, and adversely affect their communication. The aim of this study was to investigate the receivers' reasons for not responding.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used theories related to information avoidance, power, interpersonal deception and emotions and conducted interviews of smartphone users.

Findings

The study found that the receiver’s physical and psychological state, the time of the day and the content of the message impacted non-response. The findings suggest that the non-response behavior is moderated by the power relationship between the sender and the receiver. The receiver’s state of mind will determine the likelihood of non-response, while the sender’s state of mind will determine how the sender deals with non-response.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to research in mobile information behavior, and the wider fields of information science, sociology and communication.

Practical implications

The process of interviewing itself helped raise awareness about these issues with the people who were interviewed.

Social implications

The findings shed light on the current communicative practices and ways to overcome the disconnectedness and stress suffered by people regularly using smartphones.

Originality/value

The study provides recommendations for healthy communication between the sender and the receiver using their smartphones.