Digital relatedness: A longitudinal study on social resources and the use of smart technology
: Latikka, Rita; Koivula, Aki; Bergdahl, Jenna; Oksanen, Atte
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
: LONDON
: 2024
: New Media and Society
: NEW MEDIA & SOCIETY
: NEW MEDIA SOC
: 21
: 1461-4448
: 1461-7315
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241295721
: https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241295721
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/477188182
The digital world is a vital place to connect with others. This study investigates individual differences in experiencing relatedness through new technologies, or "digital relatedness." The study is grounded in a novel framework that combines social and digital capital and self-determination theory perspectives. We used a three-wave survey conducted from 2021 to 2023 involving 1226 Finnish adults and applied random effects within-between models for data analysis. The results show positive within- and between-person effects of a preference for interacting with artificially intelligent systems (over humans) and the use of smart technology on digital relatedness as well as positive between-person effects of a sense of local community belonging. The positive effect of using smart technology was particularly evident for individuals with a lower or medium level of local community belonging. The results suggest that frequent technology use can enhance digital relatedness, especially for those less connected to their local community.
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This research received funding from the Kone Foundation (Urban utopias and dystopias: artificial intelligence in art and society [UrbanAI] project 2021–2024, Grant 202011325, PI: Atte Oksanen) and the Academy of Finland (INVEST Flagship, Grant 320162).
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