You, Me, and IoT: How Internet-Connected Consumer Devices Affect Interpersonal Relationships

TL;DR

This study explores how internet-connected consumer devices influence relationships in households, revealing both positive and negative effects through interviews and surveys, informing future IoT design to enhance benefits and mitigate harms.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of IoT's impact on interpersonal relationships in multi-occupant households.

Findings

IoT devices have both positive and negative effects on relationships.

Interpersonal costs and benefits are pervasive and significant.

Design priorities can be informed to improve social outcomes.

Abstract

Internet-connected consumer devices have rapidly increased in popularity; however, relatively little is known about how these technologies are affecting interpersonal relationships in multi-occupant households. In this study, we conduct 13 semi-structured interviews and survey 508 individuals from a variety of backgrounds to discover and categorize how consumer IoT devices are affecting interpersonal relationships in the United States. We highlight several themes, providing exploratory data about the pervasiveness of interpersonal costs and benefits of consumer IoT devices. These results inform follow-up studies and design priorities for future IoT technologies to amplify positive and reduce negative interpersonal effects.