Use of Mobile Devices—A Survey Study

Abstract

Mobile devices have become an inherent part of the life of almost every individual. Their types range from classic button phones to smart glasses and their use depends on the type of user. Generally, the users can be divided into two groups: digital natives who literally grow with them from their birth and digital immigrants who find it difficult to use digital technology. The purpose of this article is to explore the issue of user preferences of both groups for selected mobile devices with special focus on older generation groups. The methodology of this study was based on a questionnaire survey. The results of this survey show that users prefer smartphones and classic button phones to laptops or tablets or other mobile devices. Furthermore, the results reveal that on the male/female axis, ownership and use of mobile devices do not differ significantly. Significant differences are the age limit of 65 years. By this age, almost all respondents own some mobile devices. Younger and middle generation uses mobile devices on a daily basis. All respondents aged under 65 agree that mobile devices have improved their quality of life, while the adults at the age of 65+ years disagree in this respect. Future research should further monitor the trends in the use of mobile devices across generations, but especially among the older generation groups.