Exploring the effects of technology use and overuse on well-being among emerging adult college students : a qualitative approach

Digital technology use, including smartphone and social media use, is increasingly necessary in the daily lives of emerging adult college students. The number of hours emerging adult college students spend online is increasing as they balance the multiple demands of their lives, including school and social activities. Additionally, concerns about mental and emotional well-being are growing among college students, who have an increased likelihood of experiencing problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress compared to other adults. This thesis explores how both technology use and overuse impacts well-being and daily life among emerging adult college students. This thesis uses data from a series of in-depth, qualitative interviews from a sample of 19 college students aged 18-24 who self-identified as overusers of technology. Following an analysis of these interviews, it was found that technology overuse impacts the daily lives of college students who identify as overusers by making them feel anxious, creating pressure to respond to their social ties, making it difficult to focus on their education and social lives, and making it difficult to fall asleep at night. Positive aspects of overuse include feeling connected to others, improved mood, and personal development. Negative aspects of use include loneliness, feeling overwhelmed, and depressive symptoms. Based on these findings, implications for future studies are discussed.