Encounters with Self-Monitoring Data on ICT Use

Abstract

This article elaborates on the prospects for research interventions that repurpose the means of datafication to create possibilities for people to reflect on what it means in their daily lives. The research data consist of qualitative research interviews (n=13) in which media diaries and tracking data from the participants’ smartphones and computers served as prompts for reflection. The experiences from the self-monitoring and the encounters with tracked data by self-identified avid ICT users are analysed to gain a better understanding of the kinds of possibilities for reflexivity that are enabled when people have access to data that are rarely available to them.

Digital Wellbeing Applications: Adoption, Use and Perceived Effects

“…Despite this, while some were surprised, many felt that the information provided by the application was irrelevant or uninteresting, commenting that they were already aware of their usage patterns. Saariketo (2019) observes that her findings indicate that, while perhaps initially enthused by monitoring of smartphone use, many are subsequently indifferent.…”

“…A growing body of research investigates applications relating to digital wellbeing through a variety of quantitative, qualitative, and design-led approaches (Roffarello & De Russis, 2019;Oeldorf-Hirsch & Chen, 2020;Parry et al, 2020;Rooksby et al, 2016;Saariketo, 2019). Studies in related areas have used various adoption models to investigate user motivations and behaviour.…”

“…Through log and interview data these authors found that, while there was limited interest in tracking overall device use, participants expressed interest in quantifying their use of specific applications, especially to support productivity and reduce excessive use. Further insight into experiences with media use monitoring has been provided in a qualitative study by Saariketo (2019) in which participants used an application to monitor their smartphone use. Through individual interviews Saariketo (2019) found that monitoring was driven by participants' curiosity and a motivation to learn about their use patterns.…”

“…Further insight into experiences with media use monitoring has been provided in a qualitative study by Saariketo (2019) in which participants used an application to monitor their smartphone use. Through individual interviews Saariketo (2019) found that monitoring was driven by participants' curiosity and a motivation to learn about their use patterns. For some, as also found by Parry et al (2020), this awareness served as a catalyst for rearranging usage patterns and aligning behaviour with goals.…”

Promoting Time Management and Self-Efficacy Through Digital Competence in University Students: A Mediational Model

“…Precisely this group of digital natives, easily recognize their usefulness, but at the same time, the great distracting factor and waste of time that they suppose (Saariketo, 2019). Among some of the ways digital applications have to keep their users active, taking them away from the tasks they have to do, are notifications and automatic updates of news and content, to name a few.…”