“Your Screen-Time App Is Keeping Track”: Consumers Are Happy to Monitor but Unlikely to Reduce Smartphone Usage

Laura Zimmermann

Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 2021, vol. 6, issue 3, 377 - 382

Abstract: Can screen-time applications help to control smartphone usage? Maladaptive consumption in the form of smartphone overuse is a concern for many consumers. As a solution, screen-time applications were launched by the largest technology companies. This research predicts that, while improving screen-time knowledge, tracking apps are less likely to empower users to reduce actual usage. Study 1, a longitudinal field study (N=242), shows that screen-time tracking improves digital self-awareness but that it is less likely to lead to a reduction of mobile usage. The results also reveal a small negative association between smartphone usage and performance at university. Study 2, an online experiment (N=139), uncovers that consumers prefer informational tracking over more restrictive alternatives (blocking, digital nudges), despite evaluating it as less effective for reducing screen time—especially those highest in smartphone dependence. These findings suggest that many people want to monitor their smartphone usage but not necessarily control it.

Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/714365 (application/pdf)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/714365 (text/html)
Access to the online full text or PDF requires a subscription.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ucp:jacres:doi:10.1086/714365

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of the Association for Consumer Research from University of Chicago Press
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Journals Division ().