The Phenomenon of Digitalization in Daily Life: Between Convenience and Dependence

Abstract

The development of digital technology has transformed the way people work, study, communicate, and interact socially. On the one hand, digitalization offers convenience by accelerating access to information, supporting educational activities, improving work efficiency, and expanding public services. On the other hand, it also presents challenges in the form of dependency, which affects the quality of social relationships, learning concentration, mental health, and overall lifestyle. Therefore, this study aims to analyze public perceptions of digitalization, particularly regarding its benefits in terms of convenience and the risks of dependency it generates. This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to 100 respondents with diverse backgrounds in age, education, and occupation. Qualitative data were collected through brief interviews to explore respondents’ personal experiences related to the use of digital technology in daily life. Quantitative analysis was conducted using percentage techniques, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the narratives of respondents. The results show that the majority of respondents (87%) perceive digitalization as playing a positive role in supporting learning and work activities, as well as in finding information. However, signs of dependency were also quite significant: 73.9% of respondents frequently checked their smartphones even when they had no important needs, 53.6% reported communicating more through social media than face-to-face, and 42.6% admitted feeling anxious when not connected to the internet. The interviews reinforced these findings, with respondents explaining that digitalization facilitates access to information and work, but also causes negative impacts such as sleep disturbances, stress, and a decline in the quality of social interaction. Digitalization provides substantial benefits in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of daily activities, yet it also poses risks of dependency if not managed wisely. This study recommends strengthening digital literacy, improving time management, and promoting education on healthy technology use.