Scrolling on the Clock: How Millennials in IT Are Redefining Cyberloafing

Abstract

This research explores the perception of cyberloafing among millennials in the IT industry, seeking to understand its underlying causes and how it manifests in their work environment. Through a qualitative approach, 16 semistructured interviews were conducted with IT workers, all of whom had more than 3 years of work experience and an average age of 26 years. The findings indicate that employees engage in cyberloafing due to factors related to work methods, the work environment, and work-related stress. Remote and home-based work methods have introduced new opportunities for millennials to engage in cyberloafing, as the term now encompasses time wasted during not only office hours but also remote work using company-owned equipment such as office laptops. Some participants perceive this habit as increasing creativity, whereas others view it as a necessary break to alleviate burnout and reduce the stress associated with tight deadlines. Cyberloafing is regarded as a coping mechanism for managing work-related stress, although perspectives differ regarding whether it constitutes ethical or unethical behavior.