ABSTRACT
This study examines the temporal patterns and behavioural dynamics of smartphone usage among young adults, with a particular focus on social media usage, smartphone interaction, and news consumption. In the context of pervasive digitalisation, mobile devices, and in particular smartphones, have become central to communication, information acquisition and entertainment. The paper specifically examines the manner in which young adults (aged 19-23) engage with their smartphones, with a particular focus on the activities they prioritise, including social media browsing, mobile application usage, and news consumption. The analysis starts with an investigation of the total time spent utilising mobile phones over a seven-day period. This entails an examination of the distribution of smartphone usage across a range of activities, including social media usage, online shopping, entertainment, and communication. Specific focus is given to the time allocated to social media platforms, with an identification of the most frequently used applications and an investigation of their potential influence on user behaviour in terms of media consumption and engagement. Moreover, the study examines the correlation between smartphone usage and patterns of news consumption. In particular, it assesses the part played by mobile devices in determining access to news and their subsequent effect on users’ perceptions of current events. Additionally, the study examines the interconnection between media consumption patterns among young adults and their broader digital behaviours, elucidating the impact of these patterns on knowledge acquisition, worldviews, and media engagement. In addition to examining the ways in which smartphones facilitate multitasking and on-the-go content consumption, this paper offers insights into the broader implications of mobile technology on the media consumption habits of a digitally native generation.
KEY WORDS
Digitalisation. Media Behaviour. Mobile Applications. Mobile Devices. Social Media.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.34135/mlar-25-01-10