An Analysis of (Non-)Use Practices and Decisions of Internet of Things

Abstract

Recent market reports have suggested that adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) does not always lead to long-term use. This paper aims to advance an understanding of the sociological process of the (non-)use of the IoT. To this end, we present results from a mixed-methods study that analyzed survey data from 834 IoT users in the U.S. Many of our participants treated these devices as co-actors for achieving their goals and continued to use them because they had developed a routine or because the devices influenced their social interactions and identity. Participants limited their use of a device when they did not feel in control, when the device failed to understand their intent, or when they did not understand the device’s behavior. We also found that excessive information offered by, disappointment due to, and the complexity of the devices led to their abandonment. Lastly, we discuss the implications of our results for understanding technology (non-)use and provide design recommendations.