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A systematic review and meta-analysis of discrepancies between logged and self-reported digital media use

Author

Listed:
  • Douglas A. Parry

    (Stellenbosch University)

  • Brittany I. Davidson

    (University of Bath
    University of Bristol)

  • Craig J. R. Sewall

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Jacob T. Fisher

    (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

  • Hannah Mieczkowski

    (Stanford University)

  • Daniel S. Quintana

    (Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo
    University of Oslo
    University of Oslo)

Abstract

There is widespread public and academic interest in understanding the uses and effects of digital media. Scholars primarily use self-report measures of the quantity or duration of media use as proxies for more objective measures, but the validity of these self-reports remains unclear. Advancements in data collection techniques have produced a collection of studies indexing both self-reported and log-based measures. To assess the alignment between these measures, we conducted a pre-registered meta-analysis of this research. Based on 106 effect sizes, we found that self-reported media use correlates only moderately with logged measurements, that self-reports were rarely an accurate reflection of logged media use and that measures of problematic media use show an even weaker association with usage logs. These findings raise concerns about the validity of findings relying solely on self-reported measures of media use.

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas A. Parry & Brittany I. Davidson & Craig J. R. Sewall & Jacob T. Fisher & Hannah Mieczkowski & Daniel S. Quintana, 2021. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of discrepancies between logged and self-reported digital media use," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(11), pages 1535-1547, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:5:y:2021:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01117-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01117-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Herrero, Juan & Rodríguez, Francisco J. & Urueña, Alberto, 2023. "Use of smartphone apps for mobile communication and social digital pressure: A longitudinal panel study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    2. Yan Liu & Hongfa Yi & Crystal Jiang, 2023. "Enjoyment or Indulgence? Social Media Service Usage, Social Gratification, Self-Control Failure and Emotional Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Lau Lilleholt & Ingo Zettler & Cornelia Betsch & Robert Böhm, 2023. "Development and validation of the pandemic fatigue scale," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Climent Quintana-Domeque & Jingya Zeng & Xiaohui Zhang, 2023. "Internet and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from the UK," Oxford Open Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 2, pages 433-459.
    5. Sarah Spiekermann & Hanna Krasnova & Oliver Hinz & Annika Baumann & Alexander Benlian & Henner Gimpel & Irina Heimbach & Antonia Köster & Alexander Maedche & Björn Niehaves & Marten Risius & Manuel Tr, 2022. "Values and Ethics in Information Systems," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 64(2), pages 247-264, April.
    6. Henri Lahti & Nelli Lyyra & Lauri Hietajärvi & Jari Villberg & Leena Paakkari, 2021. "Profiles of Internet Use and Health in Adolescence: A Person-Oriented Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, June.

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