Media Use Diary

Over ten days I documented my use of media to analyse and compare with that of my fellow JOUR1111 students.

The results were surprising in some cases though predictable in others. The one failing I found with this project was it didn't recognise multi-tasking. It is not unusual that I might be watching T.V, working in Microsoft Word, browsing Facebook or reading articles simultaneously. 

My results are recorded in minutes below. On average I spend about 10 hours using media per day. The types of media I used greatly depended on a variety of external factors. 

For example on the Saturday I went to a gig, which meant I used my iPhone Camera 40 times more than my previous average and didn't use my computer at all. This was not a result of a typical Saturday, just this particular date.

Media Diary Minutes Per Day

[March 7^th-17^th]

TECHNOLOGY	DETAIL	THUR	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THUR	FRI	SAT	TOTAL
iPhone	Email	10	5	10	0	10	5	10	10	20	0	80
	iMessage	30	10	15	30	15	20	30	40	40	40	270
	Telephone	20	30	30	70	20	20	50	60	50	70	420
	Instagram	20	15	10	0	10	5	15	10	10	30	125
	ANZ	2	1	0	0	5	5	5	10	0	10	38
	Triple J	10	0	0	10	20	0	10	20	15	40	125
	Facebook	5	10	10	10	10	10	5	15	15	30	120
	Twitter	5	0	10	10	10	10	0	0	15	10	70
	Camera	1	1	5	0	0	0	5	5	0	80	97
	iPod	90	60	70	30	80	70	15	45	80	30	570
		193	132	160	170	180	145	95	215	245	340	1915
T.V	ABC 1	30	0	30	0	60	0	90	0	40	20	270
	ABC 24	15	15	30	0	0	15	15	30	0	30	150
	ABC 2	40	0	0	0	40	60	40	0	0	0	180
	Ten	60	0	0	210	60	30	60	160	60	0	640
		145	15	60	210	160	105	205	190	100	50	1240
Internet	Facebook	0	0	20	0	20	10	20	20	20	0	110
	Twitter	10	0	0	0	10	15	15	30	40	0	120
	Last.fm	15	5	0	10	15	10	10	5	10	0	80
	NewsOnline	10	10	30	20	10	0	10	5	20	0	115
	UniReading	50	20	0	40	30	40	20	15	0	0	215
	Blogspot	0	0	0	0	0	0	70	60	30	0	160
	Misc.	20	10	20	10	0	10	20	10	0	0	100
		95	35	70	80	85	85	165	145	120	0	960
Computer	iTunes	20	20	70	30	0	60	80	90	0	0	370
	VLC	30	90	60	0	60	30	0	150	190	0	610
	Mic. Word	90	60	10	150	80	120	60	80	90	0	650
		140	170	140	180	140	210	140	290	280	0	1630
Print	Magazines	30	10	0	0	40	30	30	0	0	15	155
	Newspaper	0	0	20	30	0	0	20	20	0	0	90
	Novels	0	0	30	0	0	20	30	0	0	0	80
		30	10	50	30	40	50	80	20	0	15	325
TOTAL MEDIA USE PER DAY		593	362	480	670	605	595	685	860	745	405	5970

SOCIAL MEDIA

In almost every example my results were in the minority or people who extensively used certain social platforms. 

Figure 1

There are over 300 Million people currently using Twitter world-wide. It remains one of the only social networking platforms where celebrities, politicians and other public figures interact on the same level as the general public. 

Despite this, 68% of students surveyed did not have a Twitter account (Fig. 1). I found myself in the minority of people who have multiple accounts as I use Twitter both for personal use and the promotion of volunteer organisations I work with. 

Figure 2

Blogs are often used by journalists as a way of communicating with an audience outside the boundaries of corporate publications. Once again I was in the minority, having multiple Blogging accounts for my various interests (Fig. 2).

Figure 3

Overall I use Facebook more than other social media (Fig.3). This was a surprise to me however I'd attribute it to the fact that since moving interstate I use it more to keep in touch with friends and family at home.

SMART PHONES

I own an iPhone 4 which places me in the majority of JOUR1111 students surveyed as the most popular smart phone was the iPhone (Fig. 4). On average I use my iPhone for 2.5 hours a day. It is an integral part of my daily routine and I rely on it completely for communication purposes as my flat does not have a land line or an internet connection (yet!). 

Figure 4

The survey results showed that the majority students predominately used the Facebook App (Fig.5). Although I do use the app, it does not stand out as the single most-used App on my phone. Figure 6 shows that I use other Apps such as Instagram, Triple J and Twitter as much, if not more than Facebook. 

Figure 5

Figure 6

INTERNET & COMPUTERS

I am the proud owner of a Mac Book Pro. Only 34% of the students surveyed use Mac computers consistently though this is a minority I am happy to be a member of! 

Figure 7

On average I use the internet 1.5 hours a day although this was not including the iPhone Apps. There was a fairly even spread of students using anyway between 1 and 4 hours of internet a day (Fig. 8). 

Figure 8

TELEVISION

On average I watch 2 hours of TV per day, a surprising amount of this was actually news updates, question time in Parliament and less surprisingly, Dr Who reruns. Some 30% of the class also watched between 1-2 hours per day which was the largest group.

MUSIC & RADIO

During the ten days I didn't actually listen to any radio because I used to always listen to it in the car and in Brisbane I do not have one. 

I do listen to a lot of music using the iPod on my iPhone and iTunes when on my computer. The convenience and mobility of the iPod allows me to listen to music on public transport and walking to and from work.

Figure 9

PRINT MEDIA

Overwhelmingly my use of 'New Media' eclipsed the minor amount of print media that I read (Fig. 10). This is not an average week for me, at home I am subscribed to Triple J Mag, New Music Express and my then local paper. I have not had time to renew these subscriptions since my move. 

This can also largely be attributed to the fact I do all university readings on my computer because a) I don't have a printer and b) My inner environmentalist doesn't want to print things.

Figure 10

CONCLUSION

The most surprising thing I found about this project was just how little social media (other than the ever-popular Facebook) my class mates used. I can't imagine not having all of these different platforms to communicate ideas and express myself... it's fun!