Media multitasking—defined as the simultaneous engagement in two or more activities, at least one of which involves media—has become a pervasive mode of digital media use. Research has repeatedly linked media multitasking to distraction and to detrimental effects on cognitive outcomes such as memory retention. As a result, media multitasking is often discussed primarily through a deficiency lens. At the same time, other strands of research have highlighted that media multitasking can be associated with positive gratifications, such as entertainment or relaxation. Together, these perspectives point to a more complex picture, but they are often addressed separately and with limited attention to how media multitasking unfolds in everyday situations.

In this talk, Ulrike examines media multitasking as an everyday practice of media use. Drawing on survey and experience-sampling studies, she discusses how media multitasking varies across individuals, how it is situated in everyday routines, and which situational factors tend to accompany its occurrence.

About the speaker:

Ulrike Schwertberger is a PhD candidate at the Department of Media and Communication at LMU Munich, Germany. Her research focuses on the uses and effects of digital media in entertainment and political contexts. In her dissertation, she focuses on media multitasking, with particular attention to usage modes, situational contexts, and short-term effects.