Unlocking Digital Habits:
An Analysis of Apple Users Screen Time and Phone Usage Patterns
ROLE TIMELINE TEAM SKILLS TOOLS
Student Researcher & Designer Sept - Dec 2023M.M, M.P, V.PUser Research Interaction Design Visual DesignFigma Project Overview
Exploring Mobile Phone Usage Patterns Among Apple Users
The objective of this research was to intricately explore the patterns of mobile phone usage among participants. The primary focus was to gain an understanding of the applications being utilized, the context in which they were used, the duration of time spent on various apps, and the personal reflections of the participants regarding their usage habits. Through the gathering and comprehensive analysis of this information, the study aimed to reveal underlying patterns and gain insights into the behavioral aspects of phone usage. This comprehensive approach sought to shed light on the intricate dynamics of mobile phone usage and provide valuable insights for both users and the industry as a whole.
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College Students
Peers
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Friends & Family
For this study, the primary focus was on a convenience sample drawn from college students, friends, and family members. The selection of this target audience was driven by the necessity to efficiently gather valuable insights within a limited timeframe. College students, being avid users of mobile technology, provided a dynamic perspective on phone usage habits. Including friends and family members in the sample allowed us to capture a diverse range of age groups and lifestyle contexts, enriching the study with multifaceted insights. While the convenience sample facilitated swift data collection, it also ensured a closer representation of the immediate social circles, offering a more nuanced understanding of mobile phone usage within the context of daily life.TARGET AUDIENCE
Background Research
On average, people tend to spend long durations of their time on their phones.
Generation Z has the longest daily average of screen time in comparison to other generations.
People spend majority of time on their phones for entertainment and social media.
Research Questions
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Research Questions -
1.
How do Apple iPhone users engage with their mobile phones, which specific apps play an important role in their daily functioning, and which apps hinder their daily functioning?
2.
What are the relationships between screen time duration and patterns of app usage, and how do these factors influence an individual's cognitive, emotional, and social well-being?
Research Methods
Our team gathered data through a combination of interviews and diary studies to gain valuable insights for this study.
Interview Question Categories
Demographics
Device Type
You can view the full set of interview questions here.
App Preferences
Social Media & Apps
Time Management
Personal Goals
Diary Study Rules & Expectations
(1) Write down each entry with timestamps and app name in quotes
(2) Be sure to include every instance of using your mobile device
(3) Provide a general idea of your app usage and purpose
(4) Include a screentime screenshot at the end of the day
(5) Provide comprehensive insights by offering details of your day in your personal reflection
While several common themes emerged among participants, a shared realization and goal that surfaced was the collective endeavor to reduce overall phone usage.
After information collected through interviews and diary studies was analyzed, the data was organized using affinity mapping on Miro.
User Interviews
Affinity Mapping
Themes
Analyzing
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Analyzing ...
Apple Users Favorites
Do Not Disturb
The "Do Not Disturb" (DND) feature is a functionality that allows users to silence or limit notifications during specified periods. When the DND mode is activated, notifications such as calls, messages, and app alerts are muted during designated times, such as meetings, sleep hours, or focused work sessions. Users can customize settings, choosing specific contacts or apps to allow through the DND mode if needed. This feature was recognized by most participants as an effective method to lowering screen time and overall phone usage.
“I'd say I'm a pretty distracted person. So I tried to put my phone down and on Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode. That way, notifications don't pop up and I'm not tempted to touch my phone.”
Personas
Kayla
Age: 19 years old
Education: Undergraduate student majoring in Psychology
Occupation: Full-time student
“I usually find that I spent a lot of time throughout my day on my phone. My screen time is something I know I should prioritize in lowering.”
Goals
To graduate with a bachelors and join a master’s program in PsychologyGain research experience at schoolParticipate in research, specifically looking at user habitsHave a summer internship
Frustrations
Has a heavy course scheduleHas a time commitment to lab on a weekly basisGets distracted by texting friends and checking notifications frequentlyUses her phone to assist her in doing her homework assignments
Kayla is a 19 year old student who is pursuing her bachelor's degree. She is currently a junior majoring in psychology. She researches user habits and phone usage patterns in order to grasp an understanding of individuals. However, throughout her work, she tends to get easily distracted by texting on her phone which leads to a failure of finishing her tasks productively. She wants to find a way of fixing this distraction.
Anna
Age: 22 years old
Education: Undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science
Occupation: Full-time student
“I feel like I tend to lose track of time while on my phone, especially if I get really invested in TikTok or Instagram.”
Goals
Complete Capstone projectGet a well-paying job related to her majorGraduate with honorsNetwork with others in her fieldMinimize time spent on her phone
Frustrations
Feels that she spends too much time on her phoneSpends free time on her phoneTries to handle a busy scheduleOverwhelmed with schoolwork and social life balance
Anna is a 22 year old undergraduate student in her senior year of college, majoring in computer science. She lives in Hillsborough with her parents and two sisters. She has an overarching goal of managing the apps on her phone so that she can limit screen time efficiently. She wants to resolve her issue of constantly being on her phone and would like a way to reach that resolution.