An Exploratory Study of Youth and their Use of MP3 Devices in Mass Transit Spaces in Boston

Abstract

This study explored the interactive relationship between young people and MP3 technologies on mass transit spaces in Boston. Despite expectations that MP3 devices are exclusively significant for listening to music while travelling, this study has established that young people in Boston have resorted to putting the devices to many other distinct uses, such as to create personal media spaces; block away potential strangers; displace self out of mass transit spaces and for personal identity and social status. While using MP3 devices, these young people are withdrawn from public spaces. Also, they occasionally disturb others by singing along with the music that plays on their devices. However, with the introduction of new digital communication technologies, such as smartphones, which are quickly replacing traditional MP3 players, it is not yet known how much impact these devices have in the everyday lives of urban youth.