Why are smartphones disruptive? An empirical study of smartphone use in real-life contexts

Heitmayer, Maxi; Lahlou, Saadi

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2020.106637

Cited by 49 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…We agree with researchers and ethicists who argue that reducing problematic smartphone use should ultimately result from re-establishing healthy habits, a broader philosophy of technology use, and cooperation from phone manufacturers 51,59 . Newport, who argues for "digital minimalism", states that:…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…For example, letting people choose among several intervention strategies that are adapted to their lifestyle may be more feasible on a broader scale than one-size-fits-all interventions. Further, a recent study estimated that 89% of smartphone interactions are self-generated rather than prompted by notifications 59 . Targeting both self-generated and prompted smartphone use in a combined approach may thus be more effective than an isolated strategy.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A nudge-based intervention to reduce problematic smartphone use: Randomised controlled trial

Ja¹,

Sandra²,

Chmoulevitch³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Problematic smartphone use is rising across the world and has been associated with reductions in concentration and well-being. Few interventions aiming to reduce smartphone use take a multi-faceted approach that balances feasibility and effectiveness. We developed such an intervention with ten simple guidelines that nudge users to reduce their screen time (e.g., disabling non-essential notifications). Two pre-registered studies tested the intervention. Study 1 (N = 51) found reductions in screen time, problematic smartphone use, and depressive symptoms after two weeks. Study 2 (N = 70) found that the intervention caused larger changes in screen time, problematic smartphone use, and sleep quality than a control group of screen time monitoring alone. Our brief intervention reduced screen time by one hour per day and returned problematic smartphone use scores to normal levels for at least six weeks. This intervention provides simple, scalable, and feasible behavioural guidelines to promote healthy technology use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A nudge-based intervention to reduce problematic smartphone use: Randomised controlled trial

Ja¹,

Sandra²,

Chmoulevitch³

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…An explanation for the difference in between-and within-person validity of ESM measures of time spent with social media may be that adolescents sometimes use social media in a subconscious way (e.g., when waiting for a bus), making it difficult to remember their exact time spent on social media in the previous hour (Griffioen et al, 2020;Heitmayer & Lahlou, 2020). Subsequently, adolescents may underestimate their social media use at certain measurement occasions, overestimate it at other occasions, and correctly estimate it at yet other occasions.…”

Section: The Accuracy Of Social Media Use Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Accuracy and Validity of Self-Reported Social Media Use Measures Among Adolescents

Verbeij¹,

Pouwels²,

Beyens³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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A growing number of studies have tried to assess the effects of social media on adolescents, who are among the most avid social media users. To establish the effects of social media use, we need accurate and valid instruments to measure adolescents’ time spent with these media. The aim of this preregistered study was to examine the accuracy and validity of retrospective surveys and experience sampling methods (ESM), by comparing adolescents’ responses to these self-report measures with their digital trace data. The sample consisted of 131 adolescents (48% girls; Mage = 14.1) with Android smartphones. In both retrospective surveys and ESM, adolescents overestimated their time spent on social media, but they more accurately estimated their time spent on platforms that are used in a less fragmented way (Instagram) than on platforms that are used in a more fragmented way (Snapchat). The between-person validity of adolescents’ time spent estimates according to retrospective surveys and ESM was sufficient (r ranged from .51 to .55). The accuracy of retrospective surveys increased over time (i.e., learning effect), while both the accuracy and validity of ESM decreased over time (i.e. fatigue effect).

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“…The ubiquitous nature of social media allows adolescents to be permanently connected with each other (Vorderer et al, 2016). Their desire for social connectivity may create social media checking routines that happen frequently, automatically, and sometimes even unnoticed (Bayer et al, 2016;Heitmayer & Lahlou, 2020). Therefore, being strongly connected with others on social media may distract adolescents' attention from other important tasks or goals.…”

Section: Social Connectivity Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explaining variation in adolescents' social media-related distraction: The role of social connectivity and disconnectivity factors

Siebers¹,

Beyens²,

Pouwels³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Social media are often believed to challenge adolescents’ ability to focus and sustain attention. While existing research has shown that some adolescents experience more social media-related distraction than others, the explanations for these differences remain largely unknown. The current study investigated two social connectivity factors (fear of missing out [FoMO] and friendship accessibility expectations) and two disconnectivity factors (self-control strategies and parental control strategies) that may explain differences in social media-related distraction. Using a three-week experience sampling study (N = 300; 21,970 within-person assessments), we found that the vast majority of adolescents (77%) experienced social media-related distraction. Contrary to expectations, none of the connectivity and disconnectivity factors explained differences in social media-related distraction. However, adolescents with high FoMO and friendship accessibility expectations spent more time using social media and were more distracted. Conversely, adolescents who more often used self-control strategies were less distracted. Altogether, the findings indicate that social media are a powerful distractor most adolescents seem to struggle with.

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Why are smartphones disruptive? An empirical study of smartphone use in real-life contexts

Cited by 49 publications

References 56 publications

A nudge-based intervention to reduce problematic smartphone use: Randomised controlled trial

A nudge-based intervention to reduce problematic smartphone use: Randomised controlled trial

The Accuracy and Validity of Self-Reported Social Media Use Measures Among Adolescents

Explaining variation in adolescents' social media-related distraction: The role of social connectivity and disconnectivity factors

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