Mobile Communication Among College Students

In a class titled “understanding social media use in journalism,” the use of mobile devices is accepted and encouraged. Though the introductory class was more informative than hands on, students openly used their mobile devices throughout the session. Multiple students left their mobile phones face up on their desks, and used their phones periodically throughout the session.

Some would turn to their phones to use them, typing out texts with a single finger. Others were more open, picking up their phones to text with two thumbs or perform other tasks. Students commonly used their fingers to scroll up and down and swipe from screen to screen. Students using one finger to text, scroll or swipe generally used their index finger. Two students charged their phones during class.

Students periodically checked their mobile devices without being prompted, and would sometimes click their phones on for only a second before putting their phones back to sleep. Even when students engaged with their mobile devices, the users engaged for very short periods of time, generally under one minute.

Students used their mobile devices without distracting the class, despite the fact that use was ongoing. One phone received a loud alert during the lecture, but it was totally ignored. Others had their phones on silent, and neither the professor nor the other students acknowledged the use of mobile devices.