What Triggers Co-Present Smartphone Use in Everyday Life?
Authors: Anisha Arenz (University of Amsterdam) and Anna Schnauber-Stockmann (University of Mainz)
This award-winning study investigates the situational triggers of smartphone use during social interactions, also known as co-present smartphone use. The research highlights how environmental cues such as others' phone use and notification frequency drive this behaviour, rather than individual traits like Fear of Missing Out or relatedness needs.
The abstract is provided below, and Anisha is happy to provide more information for those who would like to learn more about her study.
Abstract: Many people use their smartphones in social situations, but it is unclear how this so-called co-present smartphone use is triggered at the situational level. Previous research has conceptualized co-present smartphone use primarily as a stable disposition and has focused on determinants of the general tendency to use a smartphone during social interactions rather than addressing specific situations. However, it can be assumed that not only stable person characteristics, but also characteristics of the situation may foster or inhibit co-present smartphone use. To gain insights into the situational predictors of co-present smartphone use, we conducted a mobile experience sampling study with 87 participants, reporting on 829 social interactions. The study highlights the situational context as a behavioral trigger and examines the influence of different types of connection cues (technical, spatial, and mental) on co-present use. The findings show that one’s smartphone use during an interaction is influenced by whether others present use their smartphones and the number of notifications received. However, Fear of Missing Out, relatedness need satisfaction and relatedness need frustration do not affect co-present use.
