Abstract
This study explores how new users of mobile tablet devices experience and learn to adapt to the distraction they
encounter due to the ubiquitous nature of the devices. After giving young adults mobile tablet devices, their uses
of tablet devices were tracked for one year. A mixed method of online surveys and netnography was conducted
on 35 participants in Australia. Participants were faced with continuous connectivity where they had to deal with
multiple tasks. The tablet was perceived to be both an efficient tool that maximizes the use of time and a playful
device that is distracting. This apparent dichotomy of productivity and distraction was well received by the
participants, who did not think of the two as mutually exclusive. Participants negotiated their time and attention
they gave to their devices switching from productive and distractive multitasking. Self-regulation strategies were
adopted when they encountered distraction. Preventive and pre-emptive uses of the distractive activities were the
main methods of dealing with the situation.
encounter due to the ubiquitous nature of the devices. After giving young adults mobile tablet devices, their uses
of tablet devices were tracked for one year. A mixed method of online surveys and netnography was conducted
on 35 participants in Australia. Participants were faced with continuous connectivity where they had to deal with
multiple tasks. The tablet was perceived to be both an efficient tool that maximizes the use of time and a playful
device that is distracting. This apparent dichotomy of productivity and distraction was well received by the
participants, who did not think of the two as mutually exclusive. Participants negotiated their time and attention
they gave to their devices switching from productive and distractive multitasking. Self-regulation strategies were
adopted when they encountered distraction. Preventive and pre-emptive uses of the distractive activities were the
main methods of dealing with the situation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Selected Papers of Internet Research, 3 |
| Place of Publication | Chicago, IL |
| Publisher | AOIR |
| Pages | 1-5 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
| Event | Association of Internet Researchers 14th Annual Conference (IR14) - Denver, Colorado, United States Duration: 23 Oct 2013 → 26 Oct 2013 |
Publication series
| Name | Selected Papers from the Interenet |
|---|---|
| Publisher | AOIR |
| ISSN (Print) | 2162-3317 |
Conference
| Conference | Association of Internet Researchers 14th Annual Conference (IR14) |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Colorado |
| Period | 23/10/13 → 26/10/13 |