Understanding technology within Australian households

Abstract

This study explores how households use information and communication technology (ICT), the meanings ICT has for household members, and how their lives are being affected. In-depth interviews were conducted in Australian forefront user ('infomated') households. Sixmajor themes emerged: technology erases boundaries between home and work; people compartmentalize activities to shore up the work/non-work boundaries; motivations for household ICT extend beyond work; technology changes the social dynamics in the household; constant contactability becomes an achievable, high priority goal; ICT provokes negative emotions and concerns. The households actively, and often creatively, use these technologies to make their lives easier and enrich them. Basically people seem satisfied with their technologies, although households are still struggling to control and adjust to perceived negative impacts. The findings may provide guidance for households considering ICT adoption. Introduction