Use, usefulness and attitude towards digital devices during mealtime

The aim of this study was to understand how digital devices (with a focus on smartphones) are used during mealtime and what people’s attitude towards the use of them is. Furthermore, the study aimed at understanding how the use of digital devices affects people’s food intake and their social interactions.
An online questionnaire in German and French was distributed to a sample of students from a Swiss university and to another address pool outside the university environment. A total of 278 respondents were included in the analysis.
The results show that digital devices are used for different purposes during mealtime – however so far not very often. In general, the use of digital devices during mealtime depends on the owner’s attachment to the device as well as the eating situation. While the respondents find the use of digital devices when eating with other people rather inappropriate, at least some find the use when eating alone more appropriate as digital devices can be a welcome entertainment or make them feel less lonely. The age of the user plays a role in the attitude towards and use of digital devices. Regarding the use of digital devices during mealtime, younger respondents position themselves more openly than older ones. Finally, it was found that people who like to eat consciously use their digital devices less often during their meals than those who eat unconsciously or for whom eating is more a means to an end than a celebrated pleasure.
Even though digital devices such as smartphones are still rarely used during mealtime and many of the respondents deliberately put their devices away while eating (especially when in company with others), it can be assumed that the use during mealtime will increase in the future. This development can also be assumed for the older generation.