URBAN PLAYGROUNDS: THE ROLE OF MOBILE MEDIA IN TEENAGERS' CITY LIFE

Abstract

This research explores the interplay between urban sociology, media studies, and the mobile media practices of teenagers in public spaces within the city. Over recent decades, urban sociology has predominantly focused on the impact of post industrialization, suburbanization, and mobility on urban experiences. In contrast, limited attention has been given to how mobile media and mediatization influence individuals' social connections to urban spaces. This study bridges these perspectives by investigating how teenagers utilize mobile devices like smartphones, laptops, and MP3 players in Dublin's urban context. As mobile media become increasingly integrated with the Internet, they offer both opportunities and constraints for individuals' interactions within public, semiprivate, and private spaces. Young people, in particular, are intensive users of mobile phones, using them not only for instrumental purposes but also for emotional and social connections. This research adopts a holistic approach, considering the interaction between the mobile media device, its content, and the surrounding urban context. Through this study, we aim to shed light on how teenagers navigate Dublin's cityscape while engaging with mobile media. By exploring the intricate relationships between technology, content, and urban life, we contribute to a deeper understanding of contemporary urban experiences and the role of mobile media within them.