New research fellow

In january, Mehri S. Agai started as a research fellow at the Department of information and media studies. She is going to write a PhD on youth who want to or already have withdrawn from digital media.

– There is not much research on this subject in Norway or globally yet. I want to know what young people who do a digital detox have in common, and if their socioeconomical status plays a part. I am also wondering whether a break from digital media make their lives better.

Media, society and psychology

Agai is a psychologist from UiBs Department of Psychology, and have worked as a therapist for almost three years. She's also been working on psychosocial science, especially health promoting work. This will play a role in her thesis.

– There is a relation between socioeconomic status and health, and between socioeconomic status and media us as well. It results in different use, and creates inequalities which in turn gives us injustice. It may be that withdraval from media use is only found amongst thos with high socioeconomical status, Agai says.

Which media she will research, will be up to the informants.

– I am starting with a wide net, and will look at all digital media that are important for young people. The same goes for what it means to disconnect - what do they put into it?

Agai is a member of the Research group for media use and audience studies, and the Digitox-project.