Using touchscreen mobile devices—when, where and how: a one-week field study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study explored the objectively measured Touchscreen Mobile Device (TSMD) use in free-living conditions. Data on TSMD use, gross body posture (lying, sitting, standing, stepping), and location of use (workplace, home, other) were collected over seven consecutive days from 54 adults (mean ± SD, 38 ± 10 years). Average duration of TSMD use was 152 ± 91 minutes/day, with TSMD engagement of 51 ± 35 times/day. Participants under 30 years spent significantly more time on their TSMD, averaging 230 ± 108 minutes/day. By location, 54 ± 17% of use occurred at home and 24 ± 15% at work. The most common posture adopted during any TSMD use was sitting (77 ± 5 2 minutes/day), with participants also spending considerable time lying down in the home environment (39 ± 49 minutes/day). These findings provide valuable insights into how adults are using TSMDs, including the postures and locations of use. Further research is needed on the health and wellbeing implications of these usage patterns. Practitioner summary: This study explored Touchscreen Mobile Device (TSMD) use in free-living conditions among 54 adults (mean ± SD, 38 ± 10 years). Participants under 30 years spent significantly more time on their devices. More than half of the time spent using TSMD occurred at home while sitting and lying down. Highlights Touchscreen mobile device use and gross body posture were quantified objectively. The most common postures for touchscreen mobile device use were lying and sitting. Touchscreen mobile devices were used around twice as much at home than at work. Use at home, with a predominance of the lying posture, needs further investigation.