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Article
What Cell Phones Mean in Young People's Daily Lives and Social Interactions
SAIS 2011 Proceedings
  • Michelle Carter, Clemson University
  • Jason Bennett Thatcher, Clemson University
  • Carolyn Applefield, Clemson University
  • Julius Mcalpine, Clemson University
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Abstract

In this exploratory study, we present a preliminary analysis of narrative accounts written by 72 undergraduate students, to help shed light on what cell phones mean in the daily lives and social interactions of young people. At a time when, increasingly, people are using and becoming familiar with information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their personal lives before these technologies infiltrate the work space, an understanding of how young people develop emotional connections with their cell phones could provide insight into what ICT use may be like in the future. The narrative accounts provided by study participants elucidate what cell phones mean in young people’s lives. Our study reveals that young people become increasingly dependent, and develop deeper emotional ties with cell phones, as usage permeates more aspects of their daily lives and social interactions.

Citation Information
Michelle Carter, Jason Bennett Thatcher, Carolyn Applefield and Julius Mcalpine. "What Cell Phones Mean in Young People's Daily Lives and Social Interactions" (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jason_thatcher/2/