Facebook : A Comparative Study of its Usage on Smartphone vs. Computer

Abstract: This research aims at analysing how the usage of Facebook differs on mobile phones and computers from the view of an end user. 10 people were consulted in semistructured interviews about their individual usage. Topics of the interviews included the amount of time they spend on Facebook on their mobile phones and how often, why they are using it on this device and when they rather use a computer. The results of the interviews indicate that people mostly use their mobile phone on their every-day journeys, esp. while they use public transport and they are bored waiting for or beeing on the means of transport. Often they just check the Newsfeed to see what their friends are doing. They mainly want to be informed about the activities of their friends, therefore, produce less content themselves on Facebook Mobile rather than on their computer. The questioned users do not have the feeling they need to log in on Facebook, instead they do it subconsciously all the time. The small screen and keypad on the mobile phone are still the main reasons why the usage of Facebook on the computer is more convenient. Nevertheless, because Facebook on the mobile phone is limited in its features it also offers a good overview. The non-available features on mobile devices are simply not missed and for this reason not even used on the Facebook computer version. However, if a function should be executed, which does not exist on the mobile phone the users are waiting until they can access a computer but possibly they forget about it by then and the importance of the accomplishment disappears.