Do technologies distract users? Investigating technology experience vs. user wellbeing

Digital transformation, on one end, has made life more compatible in the ultra-fast-growing world but, on the other end, has caused many complexities in the form of technology interruption and distraction. During the technology consumption experience, individuals receive multiple communications from personal and professional counterparts, which trigger their instinct to respond in between the original task. Consequently, distractions divert users' focus and waste valuable time portion. Current research addresses the call to contribute to the literature about the disruptive roles of communication technologies underlining technology consumption experiences. We used SmartPLS to perform data analysis. For study 1, we examined the impact of parallel communications in putting people under time constraints, which incapacitated individuals from appropriate technology consumption experience. In study 2, we investigated the possible effects of parallel communication in distracting people from the original task and deteriorating the technology consumption experience. Results revealed that parallel communications triggered distractions and time pressure. In either situational behavior, individuals experience technology differently, which might occur due to time constraints or being distracted from the original task. In both cases, it becomes difficult for people to get back to the original task with the same flow, pace, or cognitive understanding, which deteriorates the technology consumption experience. The findings provide insights for theory and practice. In general, the research on adverse effects of communication technologies is scarce and specifically rare on behavioral aspects of parallel communications impacting technology consumption experience. Current research addresses the call to contribute to the literature on the disruptive roles of communication technologies in the context of technology consumption experiences.