Cell Phone Use and Youth Perceptions of Communication in South Africa

Abstract

Purpose

The adoption of mobile technology by the youth has been gaining momentum as a growing area of exploration for scholars. Several aspects of this technology, including its adoption and usage patterns, have been explored both theoretically and in empirical research. The purpose of this paper is to understand the cell phone usage of the young university students, the effects of this usage of the cell phone on their personal communication needs, their perceptions of cell phone communication in the society, and gender similarities and differences in these matters.

Methodology/approach

This paper relies on primary data of randomly selected engineering students in a university in South Africa. Data was collected from 200 respondents using face-to-face interviews with the help of a structured interview schedule.

Findings

The analysis shows the relationship between the measures of cell phone usage, personal communication, and perceptions, across different racial groups. The findings of the study have relevance and significance for the understanding of the communication patterns and their social consequences for the youth in South Africa.

Originality/value

Most of the research in this area has originated from the developed regions and countries in the Nordic region and Japan. This paper presents the findings on the cell phone use of students in South Africa.

Citation

Sooryamoorthy, R. (2015), "Cell Phone Use and Youth Perceptions of Communication in South Africa", Technology and Youth: Growing Up in a Digital World (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 73-103. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1537-466120150000019003