Dealing With Media Distractions: An Observational Study on Computer-Based Multitasking Among Children and Adults

• In Event: Distracted, Dissatisfied, Drunk, and Other Disorders: Youth, Media, and Well-Being

Abstract

The aim of the present observational study was to investigate differences in computer-based multitasking among children and adults. Moreover, the study investigated how attention problems are related to computer-based multitasking and how these individual differences interact with age. Computer-based multitasking was observed for a ten minute period among large samples of children (N = 164) and adults (N = 160). The findings indicate that individuals find it indeed difficult to focus their attention on a main activity in the presence of appealing media distractors. A main effect for age was qualified by an interaction effect between age and attention problems. The findings indicate that children and adults without attention problems do not differ in their multitasking behavior. However, children with attention problems engaged more frequently in computer-based multitasking in comparison to children without attention problems and adults.

Authors

• Susanne E. Baumgartner, U of Amsterdam

• Sindy R. Sumter, U of Amsterdam

• Winneke van der Schuur, University of Amsterdam