Cross-cultural patterns in mobile-phone use: public space and reachability in Sweden, the USA and Japan

Abstract

Contemporary mobile-phone technology is becoming increasingly similar around the world. However, cultural differences between countries may also shape mobile-phone practices. This study examines a group of variables connected to mobile-phone use among university students in Sweden, the USA and Japan. Key cultural issues addressed are attitudes towards quiet in public space, personal use of public space and tolerance of self-expression. Measures include the appropriateness of using mobiles in various social contexts and judgments of what respondents like most and like least about having a mobile phone. Analysis revealed a number of culturally associated differences, as well as a shared conflicting attitude towards the advantages and disadvantages of reachability by mobile phone.

Put down that phone and talk to me: Understanding the roles of mobile phone norm adherence and similarity in relationships

“…Public Context (9 items) Do not have highly personal conversations on the phone in the presence of the other person Try to be as little of a distraction as possible when talking on the phone (Baron & Campbell, 2012) Do not have fights or arguments on the phone in the presence of the other person Do not talk about inappropriate or private matters (like money, sex, or bodily functions) in the presence of the other person (Baron & Hard af Segerstad (2012) Be conscious of speaking volume and keep it at a reasonable level in the presence of the other person (Baron & Campbell, 2012) Do not talk on a mobile phone when the other person is trying to study or work (Lipscomb et al 2007) Speak softly into the mobile phone when out in public with your friend or romantic partner (Baron & Hard af Segerstad (2012) Do not take calls on your mobile phone while ordering or buying something at a store or restaurant when out in public with your friend or romantic partner (Baron & Hard af Segerstad, 2010;Lipscomb et al 2007) Do not use your mobile phone when out at the movies when with your friend or romantic partner (Axelsson, 2010;Lipscomb et al 2007). …”

“…Do not talk on a mobile phone when sitting with someone at a restaurant or bar (Baron & Hard af Segerstad, 2010;Lipscomb et al 2007) Do not text on a mobile phone when sitting with someone at a restaurant or bar (Baron & Hard af Segerstad, 2010;Lipscomb et al 2007) Do not use social media (Twitter, Facebook) on a mobile phone when sitting at a restaurant or bar Do not use your mobile phone while you are eating dinner out with a friend or romantic partner (Lipscomb et al 2007) When my friend or romantic partner is driving and I am in the car, I should not text unless they want me to (Lipscomb et al 2007) When my friend or romantic partner is driving and I am in the car, I should not make phone calls unless they want me to The way my friend or relationship partner uses their cell phone decreases how much we enjoy our time together I wish that cell phones were not around when we spend time together I wish we would both just turn off our cell phones and spend time together…”

Digital divides revisited: what is new about divides and their research?

“…For instance, in his research on single parents and young elderly Haddon (2000) shows that people's needs, cultural background, customs and everyday life are parameters that generate divergent evaluations of ICTs and the Internet in particular, but he does not place them in a broader context. From the same perspective, other more recent research has talked about self-exclusion and the existence of 'Internet resisters' (Wyatt et al, 2002), ii a lack of interest in ICT usage (Dutton and di Gennaro, 2005: 53;Ofcom 2004) or the role of broader socio-cultural parameters (Baron and af Segerstad, 2010;Lim and Soon, 2010;Selwyn et al, 2005) to explain why some parts of the population are not digitally and technologically included. Some also give a positive tone to their remarks about the role of sociocultural parameters, arguing, for instance, that the Internet has become an 'infrastructure of everyday life' (Dutton and Helsper, 2007: 8) and that whether it is used or not depends on people's everyday life activities and cultures.…”

Instructors Age and Gender Differences in the Acceptance of Mobile Learning

“…Regarding gender and age, a number of investigations have documented differences in male versus female use of mobile technology in a range of national and cross cultural contexts [10,11]. A study conducted by [19] investigated the impact of instructors' age, experience, and gender on the integration of ICT into language learning.…”