Digital distraction has become a serious problem, with estimates that $650 million per year is lost to distraction. The ubiquity of digital devices has introduced a new phenomenon of "digital distraction" and "multicommunicating" that can make people feel more alone and depressed. While digital devices are ubiquitous with 9 out of 10 North Americans owning a mobile device, overcoming distraction involves understanding psychology and behavior change, such as setting timers to limit device use and embracing analog activities like taking handwritten notes. Employers are also addressing distraction by limiting work server access after hours, and encouraging employees to structure their days into small, distraction-free chunks.

1. Image via Pixabay
Julia Warrender
June 2, 2017 - FILM 260
Digital Media Trends
Overcoming Distraction
in the
Digital Age

2. Image via Pixabay
The ubiquity of digital devices has
introduced a new phenomenon:
Digital Distraction

3. Digital distraction is a serious problem. Estimates suggest
we lose $650 million per year to distraction.[1]
Image via Pixabay

4. Image via Pexels
This era of “multicommunicating”
is also contributing to a perception
of incivility. [2] It’s easy to spot
those focusing attention on their
mobile devices in the wild.

5. In spite of all of these opportunities to “connect,” some feel more
alone than ever. Researchers have discovered that the more people
use the web, the lonelier and more depressed they feel.[3]
Image via Pixabay

6. Images via Microsoft Clipart
But with 9 out of 10 North Americans owning a mobile device
[4], it seems unlikely the era of digital distraction will come
to an end any time soon.

7. Image via Pexels
We may have reached a
critical mass as more and
more people profess to prefer
texting to talking. In fact,
several major companies (JP
Morgan Chase, Coca-Cola,
Bank of America) are doing
away with voicemail on
company cell phones.[5]

8. Trying to avoid the
digital wave is akin to
swimming upstream.
It is more practical to
devise ways to overcome
digital distraction
instead.
Image via Morguefile

9. As is often the case when
attempting to affect a
change in learned
behaviour, a logical
starting point is with the
study of the psychology
of change.
Image via Wikimedia Commons

10. Regardless of age, people
check their smartphones
every 15 minutes or less
and become anxious if
they aren’t allowed to. [6]
To combat this,
psychologists recommend
setting a timer for 15
minutes before allowing a
1-minute tech check-in.
Then, gradually increase
the length of the of the
break to 1+ hours. [7]
Image via Pixabay

11. Image via Pexels
We can also consider swapping one distraction
for another, less disruptive one, e.g., quiet music
during study. “If the student tries to focus too
completely, (s)he may, paradoxically, break off
altogether with a bigger distraction.” [8]

12. Or we can embrace the analog life. It
turns out we perform better on tests
when we take notes by hand instead
of using a laptop, even when the other
distracting conditions are absent.[9]
Image via Pexels

13. Image via Pixabay
That’s good news for students whose laptops have
been banned due to the distraction posed to fellow
students by idle web-surfers in class. [10]

14. Outside the hallowed halls of
academia, however, the rules governing
digital distraction are trickier.
Image via Pixabay

15. Image via Pexels
Modified to B&W
We have honed a culture of
busy bees. We think modern
capitalism will come crashing
down if we don't check our e-
mail before bed. [11]

16. Image via Pexels
Modified to B&W
This notion of being “always
on” carries potential health
risks that include teeth-
grinding, diabetes, heart
disease and depression. [12]

17. Image via Pexels
Employers are waking up to the risks of excessive
connection by employees, and are taking steps to
address it. For example, Volkswagen shuts down its
servers after 8:00pm to enforce “quiet time.” [13]

18. In what represents somewhat of an
acceptance of constant
interruptions, employees are being
encouraged to divide the day into
small, manageable chunks to
minimize the effects of
interruptions and to increase
productivity. [14]
Image via Pixabay

19. It’s unrealistic to think we’ll go
back to our pre-digital ways. As
Turkle said, the goal is a
“Goldilocks Effect” for digital
connection: Not too close, not too
far, just right.“[15]
Image via Pexels

20. With practice, that patio dinner could
easily become a #LaterGram! But for those
who really can’t go 5 minutes without
distraction…
Image via Pexels

21. Image via Pexels
… there’s always fidget spinners!

22. Sources
1. Shore, J. (2012, November 02). Social Media Distractions
Cost U.S. Economy $650 Billion [INFOGRAPHIC]. Retrieved
May 30, 2017, from
http://mashable.com/2012/11/02/social-media-work-
productivity/#GlRW09X9ZEqA
2. Eichler, L. (2013, October 09). Sorry to be rude, but my
smartphone needs my attention. Retrieved March 30,
2017, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-
business/careers/career-advice/life-at-work/sorry-to-be-
rude-but-my-phone-needs-me/article14706158/
3. Konnikova, M. (2017, May 24). How Facebook Makes Us
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4. Matrix, S. FILM 260 Lecture Notes - Online (Module #1,
Slide 16)
5. Howe, N. (2015, July 15). Why Millennials Are Texting
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-millennials-are-texting-more-and-talking-
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Conquering Digital Distraction. Retrieved May 30, 2017,
from https://hbr.org/2015/06/conquering-digital-
distraction
7. Ibid.
8. Hardy, Q. (2016, November 01). How to Deal With Digital
Distractions. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/education/edlife/
how-to-deal-with-digital-distractions.html
9. Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014, April 23). The
Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard. Retrieved May 30,
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4524581
10. Sana, F., Weston, T., & Cepeda, N. J. (2013, March). Laptop
multitasking hinders classroom learning for both users and
nearby peers. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
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31512002254
11. Anderssen, E. (2014, March 29). Digital overload: How we
are seduced by distraction. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/digit
al-overload-how-we-are-seduced-by-
distraction/article17725778/?page=all
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid.
14. Council, F. C. (2016, February 17). Four Ways To Overcome
Digital Distractions And Become More Productive At Work.
Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2016
/02/17/four-ways-to-overcome-digital-distractions-and-
become-more-productive-at-work/#35dcb2445b0d
15. Turkle, S. (2012, April 21). The Flight From Conversation.
Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/th
e-flight-from-conversation.html