Universitários e consumo de smartphones na sociedade contemporânea

Abstract

One of the globalization consequences were the expansion, innovation and development of mobile communications technologies. Within this context, the mobile cell phones emerged and in the last decades, the technological advancement led to smartphones. It is a device which has multiple functions, still developing and receiving new characteristics through the years, it is not just the “cell phone” that answers and make calls. Moreover, it is ever more present on its users lives, being used for daily activities. Therefore, it is being considered the university users, whose are in professional formation and consume the smartphone in a daily basis. It is known as University the space of knowledge exchange and professional formation, besides a space of socialization. This dissertation aims to analyze the influence of smartphones consumption on professional formation and academic experience on university students in the Região Metropolitana do Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Methodologically, the triangulation of methods was adopted, using the content analysis, – for data analysis – netnography and online questionnaires – for data collection. The student’s statements show that despite the countless benefits of this device, it is worth to note because it allows countless tasks in the same device, it also can be a distraction, and may interfere in the development of certain activities that affect the student’s interrelations. Benefits are noteworthy, like as use of search and sharing applications, ease of communication with their friends and professors, besides the search and reading of study materials. Given the above, it is understood the uses and developments in the formation process of university students in contemporary society, from the consumption of smartphones. One time a useful tool, another a tool of distraction, but always present in the academic context of university students.