Individuals' perceptions of technology and its relationship with ambition, unemployment, loneliness and insomnia in the Gulf

• Published in: Technology in society 2020-02, Vol.60, p.101199, Article 101199
• Main Authors: Jaradat, Maram, Jibreel, Manal, Skaik, Huda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambition; Aspiration; Children; Electronic devices; Electronic technology; Insomnia; Internet; Loneliness; Perceptions; Technology; Technology usage; Technology utilization; Unemployment
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101199

The aim of this study is multi-faceted: (i) to explore individuals' perspectives of the use of technology and its impacts, (ii) to identify the extent of children's use of technology, (iii) to examine the correlation between technology and ambition, unemployment, loneliness and insomnia. The data were collected from 256 participants in the Arab Gulf states using an online survey. The study found that participants have positive perceptions of technology and its benefits with highlighting some of its negative impacts, and that children use technology and electronic devices excessively, which affects them negatively. The results also showed that there was significant correlation between using technology and individuals' ambition, unemployment, loneliness and insomnia. •Participants have positive perceptions of technology and its benefits with highlighting some of its negative impacts.•Children use technology and devices for long hours daily, which affects them negatively.•There is significant correlation between using technology and individuals' ambition, unemployment, loneliness, and insomnia.