Roles of Smartphone App Use in Improving Social Capital and Reducing Social Isolation

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among smartphone app use, social capital, and social isolation. It focused on two different smartphone apps--communication and social networking site (SNS) apps--and their effects on bonding and bridging social capital. Generational differences in smartphone use were also considered. Results from hierarchical regression analyses indicated that individuals' use of communication apps was helpful for increasing social capital and that this effect of using communication apps was stronger among those of the millennial generation than among older users. Moreover, bonding and bridging social capital was found to reduce individuals' social isolation significantly. These results imply the notable role of smartphone apps in reducing social isolation and improving the personal lives of individuals.

Contextualization of motivations determining the continuance intention to use smart devices among people with physical disabilities

“…These findings can provide researchers with opportunities to expand their understanding of the micro-mechanisms involved in adopting and using smart devices. Because previous research on smart devices has focused mostly on use among people without disabilities (Cho, 2015;Kim et al, 2011;Park and Lee, 2012), their findings cannot be fully applied to understanding what is occurring within the disabled population. Therefore, this study's main findings shed light on the contextualized and specialized mechanisms of using smart devices among this particular group of people with physical disabilities.…”

“…Third, it is well known that new communication technologies, especially social media, are actively used for social interactions or creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships (Cho, 2015;Park and Lee, 2012). Particularly, research on the relationships between social media and social capital have confirmed the usefulness of such communication technologies for developing new interpersonal connections in the form of bridging social capital as well as strengthening existing personal ties or bonding social capital (Hofer and Aubert, 2013).…”

“…Particularly, research on the relationships between social media and social capital have confirmed the usefulness of such communication technologies for developing new interpersonal connections in the form of bridging social capital as well as strengthening existing personal ties or bonding social capital (Hofer and Aubert, 2013). Smart devices offer various communication functions such as phone calls, texting or instant messaging, email, and social networking, which allow users to cultivate personal relationships (Cho, 2015;Park and Lee, 2012). Therefore, we consider personal relationships as a third primary motive for using communication technologies.…”

“…For thorough investigation, we differentiated between two dimensions of information. Based on previous research on motivations for using smart devices (Cho, 2015;Park and Lee, 2012), we first assessed individuals' seeking of information related to everyday life. For this variable (M = 3.54, SD = 0.77, a = 0.72), which we coined daily-information seeking, participants were asked to report how much they agreed to using smart devices for the following reasons: a) to read online news, b) to find information on maps and routes, and c) to find information on public transportation (bus, subway, taxi).…”

A Conceptual Framework of Online-Offline Integrated Intervention Program for Adolescents’ Healthy Smartphone Use

“…Communication and SNS applications are effective for increasing social capital that can decrease an individual's social isolation (Cho, 2015). Furthermore, SNS and mobile communication promote offline social interaction, not replace it, by providing channels for meeting new people and talking with friends (Jacobsen & Forste, 2011).…”