(Dis)engagement-by-design
Although many individuals feel dissatisfied with the amount of time they spend online, most people find it immensely difficult to regulate their smartphone- or social media use. Until now, research within the area of digital overuse has primarily focused on addressing when and why individuals engage in overuse, highlighting the responsibility of the user. However, this approach ignores that these technologies are deliberately designed to drive user engagement. For example, social media platforms employ features such as pervasive notifications, infinite scrolling, and algorithmic personalization. Recently, these engagement-promoting features have received increasing attention in public and political debates, resulting in regulations for platforms (e.g., Digital Services Act). Yet, research on the role of smartphone and social media design features is scarce: it is still unclear how impactful different features are on digital overuse. Therefore, the (dis)engagement-by-design research line, launched in 2022, aims to provide insights into the mechanisms that drive digital overuse as well as potential disengagement-by-design features that may help individuals regulate their use. These insights can help to inform future legislation aimed at protecting users.
The (dis)engagement-by-design team consists of Susanne Baumgartner, Sindy Sumter, and Cynthia Dekker.