Gender and Digital Disconnection: Experiences in Norway

Abstract

This survey-based study examines digital disconnection experiences
among 1,142 respondents in Norway, focusing on self-reported
behaviors and opinions regarding digital media non-use in everyday life.
Specifically, it highlights gender differences, along with other
sociodemographic variations, found in the responses of 552 women and
590 men. The results show that both genders reported spending ‘too
much’ time on their smartphones, with women reporting this more
frequently. Yet notably, there is no significant difference in self-reported
screen time estimates between the two genders. Moreover, women
reported imposing more frequent smartphone restrictions in various
scenarios, whereas men expressed greater opposition to authorities
interfering with Internet and smartphone use. Still, while these
differences are significant, the quantitative description reveals them to
be rather minor. This study seeks to advance the field of digital
disconnection studies by integrating a gender perspective, thereby
contributing to its interdisciplinary scope. Furthermore, it aims to
establish a foundation for future research, potentially expanding beyond
comparative analyses and the gender binary, and fostering more critical
perspectives.