Connectivity in crisis: the contrasting roles of mobile and non-mobile Internet on subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract As the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards mobile Internet while decreasing traditional, non-mobile Internet usage, understanding the implications of this trend on individuals’ subjective well-being has become particularly crucial. While the distinction in connectivity is evident, the specific ways in which each modality influences subjective well-being are not well documented. This study, grounded in the uses and gratifications theory, asserts that while both Internet types fulfil some similar gratifications, their unique gratifications lead to varying impacts on subjective well-being in normal and socially disruptive times. Utilising a representative longitudinal dataset from China comprising 46,803 observations from 15,601 individuals, our findings indicate that traditional Internet generally exerts a more positive influence on subjective well-being than mobile Internet. However, the role of mobile Internet has become significantly more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We further reveal the substitution effect between mobile and non-mobile Internet, which diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study offers novel insights into the comparative effects of mobile and traditional Internet on subjective well-being, especially during social disturbances. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of technology’s role in enhancing subjective well-being, as well as in mitigating the impacts of crises.