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.