Mind Over Matter: Effects of Digital Devices and Internet Dependence Perceptions and Behavior on Life Satisfaction in Singapore

Yi Jie Wong, Nursyahida Ahmad, Loo Seng Neo (), Jia Wen Lee, Kenneth Loong, Rebecca Low and James Lim
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Yi Jie Wong: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
Nursyahida Ahmad: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
Loo Seng Neo: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
Jia Wen Lee: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
Kenneth Loong: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
Rebecca Low: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore
James Lim: RySense Ltd., 331 North Bridge Road, #13-01 Odeon Towers, Singapore 188720, Singapore

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: The ubiquity of digital devices and the Internet, along with continuing technological innovation, makes it difficult not to rely on them in some capacity, whether for work or play, in our daily lives. This dependence on their usage could impact life satisfaction. Furthermore, the recognition and perception of this dependence could have implications for life satisfaction as well, whether positive or negative. We thus sought to explore how perceptions of dependence and dependent behaviour on digital devices and the Internet affected life satisfaction. We also examined whether one had a greater effect than the other. We conducted three online nationally representative surveys with 7991, 7703, and 8356 Singaporeans, and performed a hierarchical linear regression analysis on the data. The results show significant but weak positive relationships between dependence on digital devices, the importance of the Internet, and life satisfaction. A greater consistent effect on life satisfaction was also observed from the perceptions of dependence compared with dependent behavior. The implications are discussed, with implications for governmental policy strategy for reducing the potential harms of dependence on digital devices and the Internet.

Keywords: digital device dependence; Internet importance; life satisfaction; Singapore (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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