Heads down, worlds apart: A study of student perceptions and experiences with phone use in social interactions

In today’s social landscape, mobile phones are essential tools for student communication, facilitating meet-ups and real-time sharing but complicating interactions by dividing attention between the physical and digital worlds. The dual role of phones as both enhancers and disruptors of social engagement highlights the increasing issue of problematic phone use, which can lead to social isolation and impaired communication. Despite the prevalence of phone use, there is a significant knowledge gap in understanding students’ specific perceptions and experiences, which this study aims to address comprehensively. The study employed a phenomenological approach and purposive sampling to explore the experiences of ten students with phone use in social interactions. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews using a validated researcher-made instrument and analyzed using narrative analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns. The study found that college students have mixed perceptions of mobile phone use, seeing it as essential for communication, academic assistance, entertainment and potential detriment to real-life interactions. Experiences with phone use highlighted issues like social isolation, lack of quality time, and feelings of disrespect and rejection. To manage its impact, students employed coping strategies such as proper communication, confrontation, ignoring, and minimizing phone use.