Mobile phones and social life

Abstract

As private use of mobile phones increasingly pervades public spaces, mobile phone etiquette has become an issue of increasing attention. This thesis investigated how mobile phones are used in public places, and how mobile phone use is talked about, particularly in relation to rules and to identity. Observations of mobile phone use in three public eating spaces in Wellington were made. The data produced were field notes and count within a broad coding scheme. Mobile phones were used in complex ways, and no clear social norms around their use were identified. However, it seemed they were more commonly used in the presence of another person than alone, and collaborative use was noted. Questions were developed from these findings, which informed a second study. Parent, young professional and school student focus groups discussed questions about mobile phones and rules around their use. The discussions were audio and video taped and the data was transcribed and analysed using techniques from discursive psychology. Shared common knowledge around rules of mobile phone use in public places was evident in the discussions. However, generalisation-particularisation sequences in talk (Billig et al., 1988) suggested dilemmas between individual rights and freedom to use a mobile phone versus common safety and the right of the public to be free from distraction and annoyance. Identity became relevant when explaining mobile phone use. Age categories were constructed to account for and justify mobile phone use, and identity category collections such as family, occupation and friend were mobilised in explanations of mobile phone use. Mobile phone use plays an increasingly integral role in contemporary social life. It is a complex activity involving a new form of communication technology that interacts with identity, social norms and personal relationships. The findings could have relevance for regulatory bodies who want to promote responsible use of mobile communication technologies.