Abstract
Internet connectivity is seamlessly integrated into many of our everyday habits and activities. Despite this, previous research has highlighted that our rather excessive Internet use is not sustainable or even always socially benecial. In this paper, we carried out an exploratory study on how Internet disconnection aects our everyday lives and whether such disconnection is even possible in today's society. Through daily surveys, we captured what Internet use means for ten participants and how this varies when they are asked to disconnect by default, and re-connect only when their Internet use is deemed as necessary.
From our study, we found that our participants could disconnect from the Internet for certain activities (particularly leisure focused), yet they developed adaptations in their lives to address the necessity of their Internet use. We elicit these adaptations into ve themes that encompass how the participants did, or did not, use the Internet based on their necessities. Drawing on these ve themes, we conclude with ways in which our study can inspire future research surrounding: Internet infrastructure limits; the promotion of slow values; Internet non-use; and the undesign of Internet services.
From our study, we found that our participants could disconnect from the Internet for certain activities (particularly leisure focused), yet they developed adaptations in their lives to address the necessity of their Internet use. We elicit these adaptations into ve themes that encompass how the participants did, or did not, use the Internet based on their necessities. Drawing on these ve themes, we conclude with ways in which our study can inspire future research surrounding: Internet infrastructure limits; the promotion of slow values; Internet non-use; and the undesign of Internet services.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | ICT4S2018. 5th International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Sustainability |
Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings |
Editors | Birgit Penzenstadler, Steve Easterbrook, Colin Venters, Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed |
Place of Publication | Toronto, Canada |
Publisher | EasyChair |
Pages | 384-397 |
Number of pages | 14 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2018 |
Event | 5th International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Sustainability. ICT4S2018 - Toronto, Canada Duration: 15 May 2018 → 17 May 2018 Conference number: 5 |
Publication series
Name | EPiC Series in Computing |
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Publisher | EasyChair |
Volume | 52 |
ISSN (Print) | 2398-7340 |
Conference
Conference | 5th International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Sustainability. ICT4S2018 |
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Abbreviated title | ICT4S2018 |
Country | Canada |
City | Toronto |
Period | 15/05/18 → 17/05/18 |
Keywords
- Ethics
- sustainability
- Energy Efficiency
- Smart software
VU Research Profile
- Connected World
- Science for Sustainability