Attention economy: A study on digital content consumption patterns in university students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21556/edutec.2025.93.3921Keywords:
smartphones, digital consumption, attention economy, social media, informal learningAbstract
The perspective of the attention economy recognizes how digital platforms shape consumption habits through algorithmic personalization and content segmentation. This study analyzes content consumption behaviors through smartphones among students of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Digital Technologies at UNICACH, aiming to describe the average consumer profile and usage patterns based on a descriptive quantitative methodology.
The results show that social media and entertainment platforms dominate mobile device usage, but they also reflect a growing convergence between leisure and learning. Immediacy and interactivity influence content selection, while available time and academic workload modulate these patterns. However, the high presence of leisure content on social media can lead to distractions that impact concentration and academic performance.
The findings suggest the need to design educational strategies that integrate these technologies in a balanced way, maximizing their pedagogical potential without overlooking the risks associated with attention dispersion.
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