Everyday appropriation of technology: experiences, challenges, and implications

Doctoral Thesis
English
Author

Rongjun Ma

Published: 08.08.2025 Thesis Supervisor: Janne Lindqvist

Abstract

The mundane experience of using everyday technology provides a valuable window into how individuals make sense of, adapt to, and ultimately integrate digital tools into their daily lives. From checking messages first thing in the morning to relying on web browsers and AI apps for work and information, technology has become deeply embedded in daily routines. Yet, this integration is neither static nor uniform - it unfolds through a process of appropriation, shaped by individual needs, social contexts, and evolving technological affordances. This dissertation examines how people appropriate technologies in their daily lives, offering insights into the dynamic interplay between users and the different technological environments they navigate.

The dissertation examines four contexts of technology use: managing information overload in web browsing, navigating privacy concerns in custom LLM-based apps, coordinating multiple communication apps, and integrating digital gaming within households. By exploring these contexts from various perspectives, this dissertation reveals that users consistently weigh the trade-offs between the benefits and costs of technology adoption and use. It identifies everyday challenges in technology usage, such as information overload, which is conceptualized as browsing clutter in the context of web browsing. When faced with stress or difficulties in using technology, users employ both problem-based and emotion-based coping strategies. While users adjust technology settings to better suit their needs, the technology itself also shapes user behavior—illustrating a co-adaptive relationship. Finally, based on these findings, the dissertation offers design recommendations aimed at improving user experiences, with a focus on clearer communication of design information, more space for individual sense-making, and practical guidance to support user activities.