The Surprise of Underestimation: Analyzing the Effects and Predictors of the Accuracy of Estimated Smartphone Use

ABSTRACT

Smartphone usage had often been measured using self-reported time estimates. Due to the limitations of such self-reports (e.g., effects of social desirability or limited memory performance), this type of measurement had often been criticized. Users tended to overestimate or underestimate their screen time. The goal of the current study was to examine the accuracy of estimated screen time, identify predictors of this accuracy and explore the impact of accuracy feedback on users’ well-being and their motivation to limit future smartphone use. In an online survey N = 153 participants (68.6% female) were asked about their well-being, mindfulness, motivation for future limitations of smartphone use and to estimate their smartphone screen time. Moreover, objective screen time was measured with the help of built-in applications Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (iOS). The analyses showed that significantly more subjects underestimated themselves than overestimated themselves. After being provided with feedback on the accuracy of their screen time estimations, participants reported their well-being and their motivation for smartphone limitation, again. Results showed that objective screen time, compulsive phone use and mindfulness did not predict the accuracy of screen time estimations. Feedback on estimation accuracy did not affect limitation motivation but (partially) well-being. The perceived impact of Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected both well-being and limitation motivation. The present paper interprets and relates the results to research in this area and derives implications for future research. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.