Internet use and multitasking among older adolescents: An experience sampling approach

Internet use is challenging for individuals to quantify and describe. Previous internet use studies have relied on self-report measures, which may be subject to recall bias. This studied aimed to assess college student internet use using a real-time methodology, experience sampling method (ESM). Undergraduate students participated in a 7-day ESM campaign using text message surveys sent at 6 random times each day. Survey questions evaluated current internet use time and activities. Analyses included hierarchical clustering analysis, multilevel and probability modeling. Among the 189 participants, mean age was 18.9 (SD = 0.9), 58.8% were female and most were Caucasian (90.5%). The modeled average total amount of daily internet time was 56 min, 95% CI [51, 62]. The correlation between self-reported internet use time and ESM data was 0.31 (p < 0.001). Over half of the time participants were on the internet they reported multitasking (56.5%, 95% CI [52.7%, 60.4%]). Study findings suggest that multitasking is frequent among college students, which may explain over-reported internet use.

► Internet use is usually measured by self-report, which may be subject to recall bias. ► We used experience-sampling method to measure internet use. ► Total daily internet use was less than typically reported. ► Multitasking accounted for over half of internet use time. ► Internet use may be over-reported due to multitasking.