Growing up in a digital world: Understanding the perceived experiences with mobile connectivity in adolescence

Mobile connectivity has become an ubiquitous part of adolescents’ everyday life activities. Thus, adolescents are challenged to find an optimal balance between the advantages and the inevitable disadvantages of ubiquitous connectivity. Fewer studies investigated adolescents’ perceived experiences with mobile connectivity. Especially the knowledge of experiences related to seeking balance in regards to online digital flourishing and interruptive nature of mobile connectivity in offline conversations with peers is lacking. Drawing on cultural sociology, communication theory, and psychological literature, the current PhD project aims to introduce new measurement instruments and apply these instruments to further the knowledge on adolescents’ subjective experiences with mobile connectivity. A multimethod study will be used including three-wave panel data and in-depth interviews.