Date of Award

Spring 5-9-2015

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Dr. Kathryn A. Kozaitis

Abstract

What is the impact of mobile phones on those who use them? Does the use of mobile phones affect sociocultural systems when they are introduced? With the prevalence of the mobile phone in society today it is imperative that mobile phone use is studied. Through the use of ethnography, I have studied students at Georgia State University in order to understand the mobile phones influence on this particular culture. I have found that my participants have been changed through use of this device as it has become a part of themselves, adding functionality to users while splitting their focus between the digital world mediated by the phone and physical reality. I found that participant’s sentiments of their phones were conflicting. They praised their device while remaining wary about its effects on them and others.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/7035312

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