Browsing by Subject "Digitaalisen median kulutus"

Aims. The effects of digital media consumption on well-being have been extensively studied since its widespread use. The results obtained in the studies are contradictory. Mainly, the consumption of digital media is found to produce both positive and negative effects. However, studies focus more on examining the harmful effects of digital media or its problematic consumption. The studies also seldom consider consumers' own experiences of the effects of digital media consumption. The purpose of this is to examine how university students describe their own relation with digital media. This aims to deepen the understanding of the effects of digital media consumption, through a subjective perspective, with the intention of deepening the conflicting perspectives of the research literature on the effects of digital media. Methods. The research was conducted as qualitative research. A total of ten university students participated in the study. The research data about their relationship with digital media and its consumption was gathered via semi-structured interviews. The interviews were carried out both in person and via video calls. The interviews took place in April 2022. Phenomenographic approach was used in the analysis of the data. Results & Conclusions. The University students' descriptions of their own relationship with digital media were divided into six different categories: “What digital media to consume”, “Reasons to consume digital media”, “Benefits of digital media”, “Disadvantages of digital media”, “Feels the need to limit the consumption of digital media” and “Ways to limit consumption”. The results reflected the idea of conflicting views between university students' consumption of digital media and the effects it produces. The results revealed an ambivalent attitude towards digital media as the same digital media content was perceived as both beneficial and harmful. Participants were generally satisfied with their own relationship with media but also experienced guilt about their consumption and its amount. The results showed a recurring view of utilizing personal time more effectively. Based on the research it can be concluded that consuming digital media requires increased understanding and higher-quality research. It would be important to acknowledge and accept both the benefits and disadvantages as part of digital media consumption and learn to incorporate this in society sensibly.