Mobile technologies in everyday life of Belarusians: generational differences

Authors

  • Natalia A. Yelsukova Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Julia Yu. Gafarova Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Tatyana V. Kupchynava Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

everyday life, everyday practices, mobile technologies, mobile applications, generational differences
Supporting Agencies
The study was conducted with the financial support of the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research in the framework of the scientific project «Mobile technologies in the digital transformation of the everyday life in the Republic of Belarus» (No. Г20-056).

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research on the nature and extent of the impact of mobile technologies on the everyday life of Belarusians. The authors show the level of introduction of mobile technologies into daily life, generational differences in their use. The article proves that in studying the introduction of mobile technologies into life, it is important not only to identify the economic effect of this implementation, but also to analyse the impact of these technologies on changing the forms of social practices, daily rhythms, and the way of life of Belarusians of different ages. Interpretation of the results of social research allows us to conclude that the majority of Belarusians follow the latest gadgets and devices. The most popular devices are mobile phones. Mobile technologies infiltrate into the daily life of Belarusians, with their help a significant number of typical practical actions are carried out. Belarusians of middle age, both according to their own assessment and according to the assessment of young people, quite quickly overcome the psychological barrier in using new devices. All respondents are emotionally attached to mobile devices and mobile applications and can no longer imagine their life without them. Belarusians of both generations positively assess the infiltration of mobile technologies into their lives, noting that using them gives the potential for self-realisation and makes life more comfortable. They see a number of risks that mobile technologies bring to everyday life, but project these risks onto representatives of other generations. For themselves, the risks are assessed by the respondents as related not to technologies as such, but to the degree of familiarity with these technologies and the presence or absence of self-regulation skills and conscious management of one’s life.

Author Biographies

  • Natalia A. Yelsukova, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (sociology), docent; associate professor at the department of sociology, faculty of philosophy and social sciences

  • Julia Yu. Gafarova, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (philosophy), docent; associate professor at the department of social communication, faculty of philosophy and social sciences

  • Tatyana V. Kupchynava, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (sociology), docent; associate professor at the department of social communication, faculty of philosophy and social sciences

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Published

2022-06-24

Issue

No. 2 (2022): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology

Section

From the Working Table of a Sociologist

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How to Cite

[1]
Yelsukova, N.A. et al. 2022. Mobile technologies in everyday life of Belarusians: generational differences. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology. 2 (Jun. 2022), 88–96. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6821-2022-2-88-96.