The role of ICTs in everyday mobile lives

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) are permeating modern lifestyles, shaping and colouring the undertaking of activities and travel. This article reports on a qualitative diary and interview study that explored the ways in which ICTs are being used by students aged 18–28 and part-time working mums. Study participants were selected on the basis of being ‘informal experts’ – reflecting their affinity for engagement with ICTs. Through an exploration of the interview findings, it becomes clear that relatively new technological devices and applications have quickly become embedded into the participants’ everyday travel and communications. Changes in social practice at the level of the individuals are not visibly dramatic, but at the same time, there is evidence of a cumulative influence of ICTs on their daily lives. Technologies are enabling the participants to better accommodate the uncertainties in activity and travel scheduling and yet also contributing to a ‘fluidity’ in time–space co-ordination of activities. They are also allowing the juggling of life roles in time and space leading to apparent fragmenting of activities. The article reflects upon the travel behaviour consequences of ICTs in their influence on everyday life.

Research highlights
► ICTs are incidental rather than instrumental in shaping social practice and travel.
► ICTs contribute to and compensate for unpredictability in activity scheduling.
► Absorption of ICT-related practices into lifestyles prevails over creative behaviour.