research-article

Use of digital self-control tools in higher education – a survey study

Authors:

Daniel Biedermann,

Jasmin Breitwieser,

Joshua Weidlich,

Hendrik DrachslerAuthors Info & Claims

Education and Information Technologies, Volume 29, Issue 8

Pages 9645 - 9666

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12198-2

Published: 18 September 2023 Publication History

Abstract

Distractions are ubiquitous in today’s technology-saturated environments, an issue that significantly impacts learning contexts employing digital technologies and yields detrimental effects on learning. Digital self-control tools, which aim to assist users in their efforts to reduce digital distractions, are numerous and readily available. Despite several dedicated empirical studies focusing on specific tools, there remains a notable lack of information regarding their daily use and helpfulness. Furthermore, the sheer variety of these tools prompts questions about their universal helpfulness and the potential influence of individual differences.

To address these issues, we surveyed a sample of higher-education students, totaling 273 individuals. These students reported on their media use, satisfaction with learning, and experiences with features of digital self-control tools. Our study’s findings indicate a discrepancy in the perception and awareness of these features; those deemed most helpful are among the least known, and conversely, common features are often perceived as unhelpful.

Our research also uncovered a negative correlation between habitual media use and the use of less restrictive features. Another identified issue was constraints on the use of these tools for learning, as platforms often serve dual purposes for both education and entertainment. We delve into these practical problems and propose future research directions to further advance the understanding of digital self-control tools.

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Cited By

Lyngs ULukoff KSlovak PInzlicht MFreed MAndrews HTinsman CCsuka LAlberts LOldemburgo De Mello VMakransky GHornbæk KVan Kleek MShadbolt N(2024)“I finally felt I had the tools to control these urges”: Empowering Students to Achieve Their Device Use Goals With the Reduce Digital Distraction WorkshopProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642946(1-23)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642946

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cover image Education and Information Technologies

Education and Information Technologies Volume 29, Issue 8

Jun 2024

1309 pages

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© The Author(s) 2023.

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Kluwer Academic Publishers

United States

Publication History

Published: 18 September 2023

Accepted: 31 August 2023

Received: 08 March 2023

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DIPF | Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation (3435)

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Lyngs ULukoff KSlovak PInzlicht MFreed MAndrews HTinsman CCsuka LAlberts LOldemburgo De Mello VMakransky GHornbæk KVan Kleek MShadbolt N(2024)“I finally felt I had the tools to control these urges”: Empowering Students to Achieve Their Device Use Goals With the Reduce Digital Distraction WorkshopProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642946(1-23)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642946

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