Procrastination, sleep deprivation and reduced focus are part of the price we pay for free mobile apps. This is according to researchers at Linköping University and RISE, who have investigated the costs hidden behind the free apps. Based on their results, they also have some advice for decision-makers.
The study is published in the journal Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance.
Most of us are becoming aware that our digital attention is hard currency for companies like Google and Facebook. By analyzing our digital behavior patterns, they can target tailored advertising directly to our feeds. Our attention becomes the product that is sold to advertisers. For example, YouTube's three billion monthly users generated about €30 billion in revenue—mainly from services perceived as free.
Often, this data is collected through mobile applications that do not cost money to download and install. But according to researchers from LiU and RISE, there are more costs, in addition to personal data, associated with the free apps.
"Putting things off, procrastination, was the biggest hidden cost. But sleep deprivation, reduced focus and the apps taking time from physical contact with friends, hobbies and training, were also costs that arose. It can be difficult for users to put their finger on it at the time," says Martin Mileros, Ph.D. student at Linköping University and researcher at the research institute RISE.
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