The Effect of Mobile Phone Use on Social Interactions among Millennials: An Ethnographic Study

Abstract

The use of mobile phones among Millennials has grown to alarmingly high rates thereby affecting face-to-face social interactions and group dynamics. This ethnographic research study observed 150 individuals in real world, social group setting, ranging from dyads to groups of four. Analysis found that a majority of the individuals in groups participated in mobile phone interactions and some even spent more time on their mobile devices than did interacting with other members of the group. Analysis also found significant incidents of shared mobile phone use and reduced offline social interactions among individuals.