[researcher][00:00] This interview follows your two week participation in our study on Instagram use and mobile banking apps. Thank you for completing the log book entries. Today, we'll talk through some questions, reflections and feelings about your experience. Just a quick reminder that this interview is being recorded as outlined in the consent form. If you have any concerns about that, please let us know. And of course, you're free to skip any question at any time if it makes you uncomfortable. 

[researcher][00:30] So to start, could you tell me your main hobbies or activities you enjoy in your free time?

[participant][00:48] So mainly I enjoy doing, I enjoy doing sports, cooking and investing,

[researcher][00:57] okay, and in what ways, if any, does your mobile app support or interfere with these hobbies?

[participant][01:07] So for the for the sports, for sports, for example, since I don't have that much time like watching sports events, because I already work and go to uni. So I usually like watch the highlights of, like, specific games, mainly, and for events, again, like, I usually like look for news of, of what's happening right now on the market. And for cooking, it's just like, helps me improve the recipes and like and see a different point of view,

[researcher][01:52] All right, and before starting the two week log book, how could you describe your typical interactions with Instagram and your mobile banking app?

[participant][02:03] It was more or less the same as before the two week log book. It was just like, random, not random, but like, as usual, like, I open my instagram or banking app, banking app throughout the day, and Instagram while going to uni, or when I get back home in the evening or chilling in my bed, so I just scroll on Instagram. So nothing, nothing special during this two week log book.

[researcher][02:37] Have you ever set screen time limits or similar controls on your phone to manage your use of either of these apps, and if yes, what motivated you to do so?

[participant][02:47] So basically, for for the banking app, what I did is I split my investing, my like, I downloaded Revolut and started using it as an investing, as a banking app for my investments, which, like it helped me avoid setting a screen limit. But at the same time, like distinguishing between like the actual bank account that I use on my on a daily basis, and my investing one, since it's a hobby. And when it comes to the to Instagram, I usually like set screen time on a busy schedule around thirty minutes, and when I'm on vacation, it's an hour more or less to avoid procrastination and at the same time being productive.

[researcher][03:36] Okay, yeah, and as you completed the log book entries over the two weeks, did you begin to notice any emerging patterns in when or how you use each app?

[participant][03:50] Yes, for Instagram, as I said in the previous question, it's more or less a routine that I checked my phone while going to uni. Since, like, my ride like to get to uni, it takes me fourty to fourty-five minutes. So usually I stay on my phone for twenty minutes in the morning, and then when I get back another twenty minutes, and sometimes throughout the class breaks, it's like another five to ten minutes. And for the banking app is usually like, throughout the day, while I'm hanging out with my friends, for example, one of us, like, one of the group pays for the whole for the whole group, and then we started, like, sending money. So yeah, sending money. So basically, it's either for transactions or checking. Like to check my balances throughout the day.

[researcher][04:46] And across the two week period, what typically prompted you to open Instagram and what prompted you to open your banking app?

[participant][04:59] Maybe boredom, and when I'm just like, boredom, when I'm like really bored and stress, like sometimes stress or tiredness at the same time, because sometimes I'm in class and I'm tired, and I start scrolling on Instagram on class break, and then I noticed that I'm actually more distracted than I was and more tired than I was, which takes, like, twice the effort to get back to the focus, like to get to my focus.

[researcher][05:29] Okay, and did you ever find yourself switching directly from one of these apps to the other? And if so, what do you think triggered that transition?

[participant][05:40] Switching from one to another, yes, it happens. Especially like, for example, two weeks ago, there was like, Black Friday. So usually, like, there's there was a lot of ads like this, like products you wanted to buy at, at a discounted price. So like, you start checking your bank account to see if, with a new discount, you're still able to buy. So usually this and yeah, sometimes, like investing news that, like that you can find on Instagram. Like helps you immediately switch to your bank account too fast and like, like too fast at the same time secure your investment plan. So mainly, that's it.

[researcher][06:29] Okay, yeah, and did you notice any emotional changes before, during or after using either apps? And if yes, can you describe any specific examples where this was especially noticeable?

[participant][06:45] So for the banking app, it's more straightforward, I guess, since it's like, like, emotions are like, very predictable. Like, usually when you receive your salary, you everyone is happy, you know, and towards the end of the month, everyone is a bit sad So, but usually, like happiness when I check my bank account, you know, since I'm still able to, like to afford things and for the Instagram is like, like, not predictable at all. To be honest, it's like, it's confusing. Sometimes it's mixed feelings. Yeah, basically Instagram is like, confusing.

[researcher][07:31] Okay, and to finish your actual usage, daily usage was thirty-eight minutes. How do you feel about this comparison?

[participant][07:42] I think it was less than expected. I thought it's going to be around 45 to 50 minutes, so I'm actually happy with it.

[researcher][07:53] Yeah, okay. And knowing your actual usage, do you think, do you think that participate, participating in this study has influenced how you might use these apps in the future?

[participant][08:11] It's a good question. And I think for Instagram, it's like, since it's not that much like, it's less than expected. So I think I'm just gonna try and keep like, the same as, you know, since it's thirty-eight on average, on an average daily base, but yeah, so mainly, like, I'm just happy with it, and at the same time, it influenced, like, for example, for instance, when, when I'm tired and in class and there's a break, I will start avoiding using my cell phone since, like, again, as I said, before it's it's going to take me twice the energy to get back to my focus. So why, why not just avoid using my cell phones for my cell phone for five minutes, just to avoid this, like, this whole mess.

[researcher][08:58] Okay, got it. And is there anything else you have observed during the study that has not been covering these questions, but you feel is relevant to the research topic?

[participant][09:11] I mean, one thing, I think it's maybe it's good if we look at how like social media in general, at the same time, influence our decisions and our like perspective. You know, just on Instagram like you can be very happy for three days, not happy, not very happy, but I mean satisfied with life. And then you can see like the whole content is is transforming to satisfaction in life. And on the other hand, if during exam season, you start noticing that your feed is actually more about stress, dealing with the like, dealing with depression and like, It's very depressing, you know, because it's based on an algorithm.

[researcher][09:57] So it really follows your ,mood right?

[participant][10:00] Yeah, exactly, It's just like it evaluates your the time you spend on each post, on each video, the share like what you share to your friends, and it gives you the same content and content again to keep you stuck on your phone.

[researcher][10:20] Got it all right, thanks.

[participant][10:22]  Thanks for your man, and have a nice day. 

[researcher][10:26] You too.