Mapping the Scope of Software Interventions for Moderate Internet Use on Mobile Devices

Abstract

ICT is expected to form 21% of global electricity demand in 2030, and history has shown that efficiency gains in Internet infrastructure aiming to curtail such impacts are far outstripped by the growth in data traffic. We need to reduce demand for Internet connectivity, yet encouraging moderate interactions with digital devices and online services could potentially benefit users. HCI designs have been suggested for moderate interactions and Internet usage, most commonly on smartphones-but it's currently unclear whether these interventions can actually be implemented and tested to understand the user and environmental impacts. In this paper, we review features for understanding and manipulating data traffic in accordance with the stock Android and iOS development libraries to better scope the potential for implementing moderate and sustainable digital experiences. Specifically, we outline the intervention features plausible for Android implementation, and we provide reasoning for why iOS is currently too restrictive. We hope our analysis will break down barriers for researchers interested in this work, or make it easier for them to consider sustainability in their own device or service interventions. We also discuss opportunities for better data traffic consideration in mobile operating systems by 2030. CCS CONCEPTS • Human-centered computing → Ubiquitous and mobile devices; • Software and its engineering;

Designing for Digital Wellbeing: From Theory to Practice a Scoping Review

“…Studies contained codesign sessions were focused on giving suggestions for enhancing existing tools, such as changes in YouTube mobile app for a higher sense of agency [122], or better visual representations for well-being that are appealing for adults with mental health issues [87], and also better features for digital self-control tools that are suitable for multidevice ecosystem [74]. One study provided suggestions for designers and mobile service providers to adjust the settings for throttling data trafficking, minimizing user data collection, and ensuring transparency in providing information to users [123].…”

Saving the environment from the internet: A polynomial mitigation model of reducing Individual Internet Consumption through Internet Pricing and Environmental Awareness

“…Wathuge & Sedera 2022, Vol 26, Research Article Saving the environment from the internet 2 creating such awareness, much of the global attention is focused on the damage caused by transportation, electricity, and fossil fuel combustion (Luís, Vauclair, & Lima, 2018). Although there have been few discussions on the purported damage that the rising consumption of information and communication technologies (ICT) does to the environment (Salahuddin & Alam, 2015;Yang, Zhang, & Li, 2019), studies on how the internet can cause environmental damage are scarce (Hill, Widdicks, & Hazas, 2020;Widdicks, 2020). Yet, in recognising the potential harm of internet use on the environment, countries, and organisations have taken important steps to reduce the impact of the internet by optimising internet support infrastructures (Goiri, Katsak, Le, Nguyen, & Bianchini, 2013;UN, 2019).…”

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