The Dichotomy of Freedom and Connection
Motives for emerging adult backpackers to use digital media
By
Mariëtte D. Bons
Mariëtte Bons 6166393 Master Thesis
Graduate School of Communication Master Communication Science Specialization: Youth and Media Supervisor: R. van Bronswijk Words: 9154
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Abstract
Backpacker culture is changing, partly due to the prevalence of new technologies. These technologies facilitate the use of digital media whilst backpacking. The aim of this study was to determine the motives for the use and non-use of digital media among backpackers who could be considered to be emerging adults. During emerging adulthood young people do not have many responsibilities yet. Next to this, they are creating their social identity. Backpacking seems to fit well in this pattern. Five focus groups were held to collect data about the motives of digital media use. Four dimensions were determined: the experience of backpacking and backpackers, the experience of home, the negative effects of the use of digital media and the positive effects of the use of digital media. The first dimension is about underlying motivations for backpackers. Here the dichotomy between the first two aspects freedom and being social is stated, which can be brought back to the stage of life of the participants. The third aspect in this dimension is heterogeneity. Second, the experience of home emphasizes the importance of contact with home, as well as the experience of home as the out-group. Again, this can be seen in the light of emerging adulthood. The negative effects show the motives for not using digital media: irritation, diminishing of the social aspect and obstruction of the feeling of adventure. Similar with the positive effects, these result in the motives to use digital media: to stay in touch with fellow backpackers, to share and look for information, and because old habits die hard.
5 Contents Abstract 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Theoretical framework 5 Backpackers 5
Social interactions among backpackers 7
Uses and Gratifications 7
Social media use among backpackers 8
Emerging adults 9 Methods 10 Design 10 Participants 10 Procedure 12 Analysis 12 Results 13
Experiencing backpackers and backpacking 13
Experiencing home 16
Negative effects of using digital media 19
Positive effects of using digital media 22
Conclusion and Discussion 26
References 30
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Concept Indicator Model Appendix 2 – Original Dutch quotes
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Introduction
Gosse: What is nice too is that people who made such a journey never stop talking about it. That.. It’s always.. Oh yeah, I did do this or that and it was on the other side of the world and it was very interesting.
Hilde: ‘When I was here’ could be very annoying too.
Gosse: Yes, but you always have an interesting story to tell.. Years after you keep remembering little things. Like ‘oh yeah, I did this.. I did this too while backpacking!’
(Interview with Dutch backpackers, 2014)
Backpacking has become more and more popular and mainstream (O’Reilly, 2006; Germann Molz & Paris, 2013). And as the quote shows, backpackers love to talk about it, and don’t stop talking about it. Due to my own experience as a backpacker I recognize myself in herein. Nevertheless, backpacking is changing, as is our society. Nowadays everyone is connected through the internet, mobile phones and other devices. This is also reflected in backpacking. During the last years mobile phones, wifi-spots and laptops have increasingly become a normal sight among backpackers (Germann Molz & Paris, 2013). The term ‘flashpacking’ has even been introduced, to describe a new way of backpacking
(Germann Molz & Paris, 2013; Paris, 2012). The use of digital media seems contradictory to backpacking lifestyle. One of the motives for backpacking is to experience freedom, and to get away from home. However, the use of digital media also increases the contact with home (Germann Molz & Paris, 2013). There is little information about the motivations of backpackers to use digital media. Only how these technologies influence the backpacking community and backpackers lifestyle has received some attention in the last years
(Germann Molz & Paris, 2013; Paris, 2012).
The focus of this research is on emerging adults, age 18-25, because this is the age where people take a gap-year from their school or study and this is seen as the perfect time to make such a big journey (O’Reilly, 2006). The contradiction between the backpacking lifestyle – freedom – and the use digital media – and as a consequence more contact with home – is an interesting topic especially in the age group of emerging adults. Exploring their
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social identity is a central point, as is gaining more responsibility and independence, but they are still connected to their family (Arnett, 2004; Coyne, Padilla-Walker & Howard, 2013).
The relevance of this study is both practical and theoretical. There is a huge gap in research on backpackers and their digital media use. There is literature that examines the influence social media and the prevalence of internet and digital devices have on
backpacking (Butler & Hannam, 2013; Germann Molz & Paris, 2013; Paris, 2012), but little is known about the motives backpackers have for using digital media while travelling. The method of this study is therefore different than most existing literature; focus groups are used to gain insights in the motives and reasons of backpackers to use digital media. Another important aspect of this study is the focus on emerging adults. Paris (2012) found that the majority of the backpackers is 30 years or younger, but a specific focus on emerging adults has not been made so far. The practical relevance can be found in the fact that social media and social media advertising are a huge market for tourism oriented organizations (Munar, 2012). If more is known about the use of digital media amongst backpackers, this gives more insight in how to reach this target group. For example for travel agencies that provide information, tickets and all other sorts of aid. A societal relevance can be found in the connection of this age group and their attachment and motives to digital media.
The aim of this study is to research the motives for using digital media of emerging adults who go backpacking. This results in the following Research Question:
RQ: What are the motives for emerging adults to use or not to use digital media while
backpacking?
Theoretical Framework
Backpackers
The target group of this research is backpackers. Loker-Murphy and Pearce (1995) define backpackers as travelers that have “a preference for budget accommodation, an emphasis on meeting other people, an independently organized and flexible travel schedule,
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longer rather than brief holidays and an emphasis on informal and participatory holiday activities” (p. 821). The emphasis on meeting other people and the independently organized and flexible travel schedule are seemingly contradictory. This dichotomy will be a recurring theme throughout this study. As O’Reilly (2006) states in short, backpackers are
“international long-term budget travelers” (p. 1000). Sorensen (2003) argues that “backpackers are most often characterized as self-organized pleasure tourists on a
prolonged multiple-destination journey with a flexible itinerary, extended beyond that which is usually possible to fit into a cyclical holiday pattern” (p. 851). A characteristic of the
backpacker culture is the heterogeneity of people. The definitions given above are merely a guideline, because most backpackers don’t match all characteristics stated above during their trip. Next to this, they don’t have to match all characteristics to be a backpacker
(Sorensen, 2003). However, these studies are somewhat outdated and the possibility exists that technological advances may have changed the definition of the backpacker in recent years. This said, these definitions are still used by more recent studies to define backpacker culture (e.g. Germann Molz & Paris, 2013; Paris, 2012).
The biggest difference between backpackers and other tourists in motives for travelling according to Larsen, Ogaard and Burn (2011) is the lack of need for luxury. Backpackers don’t have the need for luxury, in contrast to many other types of tourist. Research also shows that backpackers tend to have less risk perception, for example about food poisoning, accidents and violence (Larsen, Ogaard and Burn, 2011).
Whether a person is able to go backpacking depends on the culture and economy of the home country. Culture is important because of the fact that social norms make it
acceptable for individuals to travel alone in a backpacking manner, and economy matters because the backpacker needs a start budget before it is possible to make the trip (Loker-Murphy & Pearce, 1995).
O’Reilly (2006) noticed a shift in the perception of backpackers. Initially, these
travelers were seen as society drop-outs, while nowadays backpacking is more mainstream, more socially accepted and even status-enhancing. This is mainly due to lots of emerging
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adults who take a gap-year to travel the world. Paris (2012) uses the term ‘flashpacker’ for a new kind of backpacker. A flashpacker is a more comfortable oriented traveler, who is generally older, has more money to spend and access to new technologies. Germann Moltz and Paris (2013) also noticed the shift from ‘normal’ backpackers to flashpackers. This will be discussed in more detail later on in this research.
Social interactions among backpackers
An important part of backpacking as described in the definition by Loker-Murphey and Pearce (1995) is meeting other people. Social interactions among backpackers are therefore an interesting topic. In her article Murphy (2001) found that the most important reason for backpackers to communicate with each other was to gather information about destinations, and what kind of businesses they recommend. The value of the message depends on the credibility of the provider, previous expectations about the destination, and personal feelings towards the provider.
Sorensen (2003) claims that being a backpacker is a combination of an individual perception and a socially constructed identity, and states that it is a social construct. Most backpackers travel alone or with one other person, but are never really alone. It seems to be an unwritten rule that backpackers get together, decide to travel together for some time and split up again – sometimes to meet up later again. People are open to making new friends. When Sorensen (2003) wrote his article, internet was becoming more prevalent. He
describes the importance of the internet, which at that time was mostly to look up information on websites and to send e-mails. The fact that internet facilitates communication was
already recognized, and the line between being home and being away fades in a certain way.
Uses and Gratifications
Underlying of most research to motivations is the Uses and Gratifications
approach/theory (U&G). The focus of this theory is on why people use media. Hence, what drives them to do so. People use media to fulfill certain needs or gratifications, and these are
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the motives to use the media of their choice (De Boer & Brennecke, 2003). This study emphasizes the motives of digital media use among backpackers, which makes U&G a perfect fit. This thesis gives insights on why backpackers in the age of emerging adults use digital media and why they don’t.
Social media use among backpackers
As noticed by Sorensen (2003), internet made staying in touch – either with the home front or with friends made during the trip – easier. An important aspect of digital media is social media. Raacke and Bonds-Raacke (2008) define social media as “virtual places that cater to a specific population in which people of similar interest gather to communicate, share and discuss ideas.” (p. 189). Social media are a part of the internet that focuses on social interaction and facilitates communication.
Several studies have been conducted to get insight into the motives to use social media in general (e.g. Raacke & Bonds-Raacke, 2008; Quan-Haase & Young, 2010). Most research is focused on social-networking sites like Facebook. The study of Raacke and Bonds-Raacke (2008) showed that the main motives to use this kind of social media are to keep in touch with old friends, to keep in touch with current friends, to post and look at pictures and to make new friends. Less important motives are to feel connected, to share information about yourself, and to post social functions. These social functions are not further elucidated. Quan-Haase and Young (2010) compared Facebook and instant
messaging. Their study revealed that social networking sites like Facebook are used to have fun and knowing about social events occurring, while instant messaging is used to maintain or develop friendships. Motives to use both of these digital media are, according to Quan-Haase and Young (2010), for recreational purposes, to show affection, keep posted about fashion, share problems, sociability, and gain social information. Interesting about the Quan-Haase and Young (2010) study is that the motivation to make new friends is not found.
Berger and Paris (2013) state that technologies like social media are becoming present in everyday life in the backpackers culture, while it previously was defined by the
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absence or lack of those. First the use of new technologies was merely reserved for so called flashpackers. As quickly addressed before, according to Paris (2012) a flashpacker is generally older, has more money to spend, chooses to go backpacking rather than opting for it out of budgetary necessity and has access to new technologies which mediates the
travelling. However, nowadays mobile devices and laptops are accessible for most people, and thus are becoming more prevalent in the backpacker culture. This also results in an increase of the use of social media while backpacking (Paris, 2012; Berger & Paris, 2013; Germann Molz & Paris, 2013). Backpackers stay in touch with home through texting, posting or blogging (Germann Molz & Paris, 2013). New technologies also enhance the
connectedness with the backpacker culture. It is easy to stay in touch with other backpackers (Paris, 2011).
There has been little research so far on what the motives for backpackers are to use these social media, or digital media in general. For this study the broader focus of digital media is chosen. Social media is a part of digital media and neither of them have been researched in the light of motives for backpackers to use them.
Emerging adults
During this phase of life everything is still possible. As shortly addressed in the introduction, young people are still exploring their identity, as in adolescence, but the focus shifts to their social identity. Who are they, and who are they compared to others? Emerging adults gain more responsibility and independence, for example by living on their own. Compared to adults however, these responsibilities are only developing. Marriage and children are postponed to later stages in life, due to birth control pills and pursuing higher education. Next to identity exploration feelings of in-between and instability are prevalent during this stage of life, which all results in a self-focusedness and endless possibilities (Arnett, 2004; Coyne, Padilla-Walker & Howard, 2013). Because of the little responsibilities emerging adults have and the need to create their own social identity before they commit themselves fully to for example fulltime jobs or children, they are very suited to go
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backpacking. Embedded in this age group is the exploration between social connectedness and independence.
Methods
Design
To gain insights in the motivations of backpackers in the age of 18 – 25 years old to use digital media while travelling, qualitative research is carried out. This results in a focus on the interpretation of the vision of the emerging adults (Het Hart, Boeije & Hox, 2005). Focus groups, which are a form of group interview, were held. There will be an emphasis on what is said, as well as keen observation of the interaction between the respondents
(Bryman, 2008). A lot can be learned from the way they discuss the subject, for example through group consensus. In a focus group the experiences, opinions and feelings of the respondents are very important (Bryman, 2008; Kitzinger, 1994). The subject is not sensitive, so using focus groups as research method is a good way of gaining insights. The chosen method suits the research question, because motives are studied and because of the lack of literature, more research had to be done to the motives for backpackers to use digital media. The interaction during the focus groups contributed to get a better insight into these motives.
Participants
There was targeted recruitment of respondents through the authors’ own network on
Facebook. There were a couple of criteria for the respondents; they had to be between the
age of 18 and 25, a native Dutch speaker, and must have had backpacking experience. Being a native Dutch speaker was required because people tend to express themselves better in their native language. The risk of a misunderstanding of meaning is higher when there is a language barrier (Esposito, 2001). The interpretation of data is now fully in hands of the interviewer, which minimizes the risk of misinterpretation. For this study, backpacking experience is obtained when the person has travelled internationally on his own or with a friend, while being in the age-range of 18 – 25 years old. In addition, there should be a
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backpack involved and participants will have roamed one or more countries. There was no distinction in selection on gender or to which continent the trip was going, as this was considered to be less relevant to the topic.
Because backpackers are a difficult target group (Paris, 2013), the groups existed of four to five people. Five participants were older than 25 years. These participants could still be described as emerging adults, because they were still studying or just finished their study, had no real responsibility of their own like a full-time job or a family and were still searching for their identity. Four of the older participants have been backpacking during the targeted age category. The oldest participant was 28 years old.
Every focus group existed of four participants, only one contained five participants. The assignment of people to a focus group was based on availability of the participant. In total there were 21 participants, with a mean age of 23,62 years. The distribution of gender was almost even, 10 males participated and 11 females. Participants travelled all over the world, but South-East Asia was most popular. The majority of participants went backpacking several times. The total of travelling time therefore differed from 3 weeks up to over a year (14,5 months).
Intentionally the focus groups would be divided in different age categories, so the participants would be talking to peers and would feel more comfortable. However, due to the scarcity of participants and thus the assignment to focus groups on availability this was not always accomplished. The first group was considered a young group, the distribution of gender was equal, and the mean age was 21 (19 – 23 years old). The second group was the group with five participants, and existed of four females and one male, with a mean group age of 24.4 (23 – 26 years old). The following group had only one female and three males, the mean age of this group was 23 (range 20 – 26 years old). The fourth group was
considered an old group, with a mean age of 26,5 (range 22 – 28 years old), and consisted of one female and three males. The last group had an equal distribution of gender, two females and two males, with a mean age of 23 years old (21 – 25 years old).
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Procedure
Five focus groups were held in April and May 2014. All focus groups were in the evening, because most participants had obligations during the day, such as their studies or a side job. The groups took place at the authors’ home, because this would create a relaxed environment. Participants were informed about the reason of the research, and signed an informed consent form. All discussions were led by the same interviewer, the author of this thesis.
The focus group started with questions about backpackers, their view on
stereotypical backpackers, how they perceive themselves as backpackers and their motives. Next the topic of digital media was brought up by the interviewer, if not already brought up by the participants. The participants would say what kind of gadgets they brought along, and what kind of digital media they used, how they used it, and why or why not. If certain media were not discussed the interviewer would ask about them. Also more in-depth questions would be asked if the participants did not discuss the topic themselves. Loads of examples were given, sometimes useful, sometimes not.
All focus groups lasted approximately one hour and were recorded on tape. Through this recording and notes taken during the interview the conversations were transcribed.
Analysis
The data was analyzed with the use of Atlas.ti, a program designed to analyze interviews. When the transcripts were loaded in the program, the analysis started with dividing them into free quotations, dividing the text in organized paragraphs concerning a topic. This made the data more accessible throughout the next step: open coding. During open coding the data were labeled into smaller, more discrete parts to give an overview of rudiments (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Selective coding was used to put these parts together to form the concept-indicator model. While coding, sensitizing concepts were used.
Sensitizing concepts are concepts that are held in mind as a starting point for qualitative research (Bowen, 2006). The sensitizing concepts used are the importance of freedom of
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backpacking and the importance of the social aspect, concepts which seem contradictory but yet seem to exist next to each other. Another set of seemingly contradictory sensitizing concepts; the disapproval of digital media use and the perceived necessity to use digital media.
The concept-indicator model is based on a constant comparison of variations and similarities in the data. Indicators, which can exist of a word, a set of words, a sentence or a paragraph, create a basis for the concept (Adolph, Hall & Kruchten, 2011; LaRossa, 2005). At first the aim of the study was solely on social media. Because of the nature of the
conversations this is changed to digital media in general, whereof social media is a big part. The concept of this research is thus motives to use digital media. The dimensions to this concept are the experience of backpacking and backpackers, the experience of home,
negative effects of the use of digital media and positive effects of the use of digital media. All
dimensions are divided in two or three roots, and will be discussed in the results section. The concept-indicator model is added in Appendix 1.
Results
That backpackers like to talk and socialize was obvious during the focus groups. Besides that, a partition of four dimensions could be seen during the conversations, specific subjects that emerged in every group.
The experience of backpacking and backpackers
The first dimension is about the experience of backpacking and backpackers. It seems like every backpacker experiences travelling and being a backpacker in a different manner, although there are several aspects that are recurring and a combination of them is important to most backpackers. These are, as was stated in the theoretical framework, the budget, meeting other people, a self-organized, flexible travel schedule and a longer international journey, usually with multiple destinations.
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These aspects are confirmed by the information given by the participants of the focus groups. The gained data suggested that adventure is also an important aspect. However, three aspects stood out clearly. These aspects are fundamental to understand backpackers.
When asked what drove them to go backpacking, most participants said it was about freedom. To do what you like, when you like, where you like. This resulted mostly in a preference to travel alone, because then the decision-making process was entirely in their own hands. Some preferred to travel with just one really good friend, so they were certain that they wanted the same thing. This was also discussed in the second focus group when asked what appealed them in backpacking:
Jantine: Freedom.. I guess. Relaxing, for a second not too serious.. from studying.. Being away. Yes. The freedom.
Nienke: To do what you want, every day. Do whatever yóu want. Marije: Yes. And new things, new culture..
Nienke: New people, nice weather.. Check out beautiful things.. You’re only doing fun things! Or at least, that’s the idea.
Marije: And you don’t have to do anything. Nienke: Yes.
In this quote the social aspect of backpacking is already hinted at; this will be discussed further on.
The freedom to do whatever the backpacker wants to do is a very important
motivation to go backpacking, and this has bearing on their digital communication, because connectedness can be an opposing force to this sense of freedom. Multiple times
participants mentioned that ‘they wanted to do their own thing’ and thus had no time to use digital communication. Certainly not for reasons other people wanted them to use it, such as to keep them posted on how their trip was.
On the other hand being a social being, meeting new people and travelling with new friends is very important. This seems contradictory to the freedom that is sought through
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travelling but actually, this is not the case. The backpackers they meet are in the same situation as they are and this facilitates bonding. The social aspect also adds to the adventure, because new people lead to new – exciting – situations and often a different travel schedule. Fiona reflects about her different attitude while travelling:
Fiona: I notice that when I’m travelling, I’m maybe a bit more open.. In my communication and whatever more.. Compared to when I’m home and sitting in a tram.. […] Then I’m more likely to just listen to music and stare out of the window, than that.. Than that I would start talking to people.. While.. If you’re in an hostel, or somewhere in a city, and travelling.. […] That you would more quickly… address people. And.. are open to do something together with people who’ve, I don’t know, have known within a day and suddenly is your BFF for life. And. Because you just have the same goals, namely doing something fun.. Or explore nature, or something like that. And that, I recognize in myself.
Digital communication adds to this because it is really easy to stay in touch with people you’ve met, for example through adding them on Facebook and to keep in touch, during the trip and even after arrival back home. Sometimes these connections lead to reunions of friends met during travelling.
Another root which was very important within the experience of backpacking and backpackers is the fact that backpackers are not all the same. As stated above there are several aspects that are representative for backpackers, but a backpacker doesn’t have to fulfill all the requirements, usually only a few of the aspects apply on a backpacker. Even backpackers acknowledge the diversity of backpackers. This can be seen in this
conversation with Lowie and Lisa, who talk about personality traits:
Lowie: Regarding personality I would say.. In first instance you’ve got a certain image with a certain backpacker.. But eventually, because so many different people go backpacking these days I think it is hard nowadays to.. eh.. to give one characteristic.
Lisa: Yes.. Well I would say.. the type.. A typical backpacker is at least adventurous, eh, open minded, positive, happy, curious.. Something in that direction.. But nowadays there are so many people that think.. I want too I want too! And I would say that these are mostly students.
18 Nick and Gosse also address appearance:
Nick: Well yeah, what makes a true backpacker? Someone who has been travelling already for a long time? Or just, someone who goes away a lot of times?
Gosse: It also depends on when and where you run into them. A.. backpacker in Northern Europe will look different from one in Asia or Australia.
This heterogeneity results in that every backpacker has a different use of digital media, although there are some common strands. An interesting aspect, however, is that it can be suggested that older backpackers use less digital media, compared to younger backpackers. There was a clear difference between the perceived younger focus group and the perceived older group and their media use.
Throughout this study the dichotomy of freedom and social connection among backpackers reoccur. First there is a notion of freedom and independence, it seems that backpackers make their own decisions and like to be ‘away from it all’. On the other hand, there is a certain need to be connected. This opposition reflects in the second dimension, where home is discussed as out-group and as safety net. Subsequently, this opposition also returns in the third and fourth dimension, where the emphasis is on the negative and positive effects of digital media use.
Experiencing home
Next there was the experience of home while travelling. As stated above, freedom is a very important aspect of travelling and communicating while travelling. This also showed in the experience of home, and thus the communication towards home. Within the experience of home there was a dichotomy. On the one hand there is an experience of home as the ‘out group’, and on the other hand there is an experience of home as a safety net.
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Most of all, ‘home’ is seen as an out-group environment while travelling. People who will never understand the experience of travelling, or who should not be given too much attention because the focus is on the here and now, the adventure and freedom. This provokes irritation among backpackers, when for example (too many) people from home want to know how they are doing, or require updates and attention. Contact with ‘home’ is seen as an burden, because it consumes too much time, and as stated before, the focus is not on home but on the travelling and the people met during this trip.
While discussing the gadgets participants of this focus group took along, the aversion to frequent contact with home emerged, together with the need from home to stay in touch:
Joost: Well, my dad said: you have to have something with Skype.. And yes.. I always wanted a tablet just because..
Kees: Yeah I liked that about jungle trekkings. You had no electricity, you were not able to let ANYONE know where you are and everybody thinks where the f*ck have you been the last three days..
Emma: That’s what I was thinking on Castaway (trip to Halong Bay, Vietnam, resp.), I just turn off my phone. I’ll take it along, but I’ll turn it off and put it in my backpack. But every time I turned it off, it went back on.. It was like: ‘no, you want to do without technology but you’re not allowed’.
*Everybody laughing*
Emma: So I took the battery out.
In another focus group, Fiona states that while travelling you shouldn’t be concerned about ‘home’, but it is important to stay in touch in case of trouble.
Fiona: Well maybe it’s a little.. like.. I’m travelling and therefore shouldn’t be engaged with home or something like that. Whilst. It is important to stay in contact for when something is wrong, or if there is really good news to share.. Only rather.. I would prefer to just post a picture on Facebook every now and then with I’m doing fantastic, bye.. Than keep everyday contact with people from home.
As already stated by Fiona, contact with home is also important. This is because ‘home’ also represents safety. In cases of emergency and troubles, backpackers don’t know
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how soon they have to contact and inform home. This is convenient because, for example, most of the time parents back home are able to solve problems easier and faster than the backpacker at their abroad destination. Jilke gave a great example about how contacting home when in trouble helped him out:
Jilke: I had one time.. When I came back from Asia I travelled via Denmark.. And I already booked a train ticket from Denmark to Holland.. And then it turned out to be in the wrong month.. I called my mother real quick through Skype, and asked her to call the website because that was not possible from Asia and then I called via my mother on Skype with the woman from the website.. And that again.. And that (the wrong date on the train ticket, resp.) could be set straight within the hour. At such times it’s so useful.
People back home also can give some reassurance when the traveler is by him- or herself and needs some encouragement. This seems to occur mostly with people who travel alone or are at their first trip. Furthermore, parents and grandparents are eager to hear from the backpacker, to hear if everything is alright. This is discussed by Niels and Lowie, when asked if there was a moment during their trip that digital media was a necessity:
Lowie: Yes for home it is. I think that’s necessary. Niels: Yeah for home..
Lowie: And not like it’s vital, but you feel like you should do that.. Niels: Not for myself, but for your mother..
*Everybody laughing*
Lowie: Because you know that she worries, so that’s not chill for yourself either.
Niels: Yes but there were enough other things that kept me occupied, but if I heard like that I didn’t let anything know…
Lowie: Well than it should be wonderful not to have media!
Sometimes unforeseen circumstances require contact with home. Lowie told about his brother:
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Lowie: My brother has during his trip.. eeh.. applied, for his sort of dream job. He Skype-applied.. eh, and through that apply he got the job.
Through Skype?
Lowie: Through Skype! So social media used while travelling.. it was necessary for him to do.. because otherwise he couldn’t have done it.. Yes so social media use was really positive in that case.
Hence, the use of digital media to contact the home front is perceived necessary by the participating backpackers, and at the same time it is undesirable.
Negative effects of using digital media
The third dimension deepens the (experience of) the negative effects of digital media use. During the focus groups, the participants expressed many negative feelings towards the use of digital media. These feelings are reasons for the backpackers not to use digital media. The negative feelings can be divided in three roots; irritations, an obstruction of the feeling of
adventure and the diminishing of the social aspect.
What seems most important is the fact that the use of social media causes a lot of irritation among backpackers. They don’t understand why people are staring at their phone, it seems to them that when digital media, and especially social media, is used, that people are partially home with their thoughts. Another irritation is that the use of digital media takes time, which could have been used for socializing with other people or adventure time. The general opinion is that the use shifts the focus from travelling to ‘home’ and to individualism instead of being social towards other backpackers. Fiona and Boyke gave two insights herein:
Fiona: When I was chilling in an hostel in the evening and I had my phone with me and there was wifi.. I wouldn’t have the urge, bút everybody around you does it anyways. Because everyone around you has a smartphone with him, in f*cking Chaing Mai (Thailand, resp.) tóó.. Wherever.. So. And so you’re sitting
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at the campfire at night.. And instead of drinking a beer together everyone is on his smartphone. And that.. is the curse of wifi.
Boyke: Yeah, but on the other hand sometimes it is just easy to.. to.. post on your wall.. And post a message like.. Look at this.. And then everybody knows and then you don’t have to send everyone a personal message, because sometimes that’s like.. yes.. pff.. Jesus, this person asks again how things are going, and I don’t feel like that or have the time for that sort of things.. Well no time.. You have time but.. come on. And so I think, I’ll post ten pictures and everybody is happy again. Sort of.
Fiona: Yes.
On the one hand, Fiona addresses the irritation felt when other people use digital media. On the other hand, Boyke talks about being annoyed when other people keep contacting him. Jolijn describes the same irritation as Fiona:
Jolijn: Buttt… I thought it was VERY annoying when we went to a restaurant all together, and the first thing everyone did was.. Can I have the password of the wifi and then contacting home and ah.. have you heard this in Holland? And that soccer player broke up with this person.. Pff.. Don’t feel like that.
This leads us straight to the second aspect of the negative effects. As stated at the experience of backpackers and backpacking, the social factor is very important during travelling. Backpackers are very social, especially towards other backpackers. This is the case because they have in common that they are all strangers in unfamiliar places, which was also noticed by Sorensen (2003). The fact that a lot of time is invested in digital media results in less time or the need to connect to other backpackers. When backpackers are busy contacting home, friends or maybe even new made backpacker friends, they can become very focused on themselves and socially closed toward other backpackers. This can already be noticed in the quotes from Fiona and Jolijn above. Another example, Nick stated:
Nick: Well.. sometimes I could be bothered by..
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Nick: Well.. That indeed you.. I was.. I was alone on the move.. And then you’re forced to make social contact. And there were hostels where it was twice as hard as at other hostels, because half of the people were.. Just.. Completely busy with their own thing.
Jilke: Yes?
Nick: So instead of.. Yes.. That they were still with one leg at home.. Because they were constantly staying in touch.
Hilde: Because they are occupied with it the entire time? Nick: Not the entire time, but now and then..
The time ‘wasted’ to digital media, also obstructs the feeling of adventure. Not only because the time spent on digital media could have been spent on adventure, but also because so much information is already given. It is really easy to search for information about the places people travel to; where to go, where to stay and what to do, instead of just ‘going with the flow’. Lisa describes this short, but covers it all:
Lisa: And sometimes it (digital media, resp.) surely helped, but sometimes you end up at the nicest things if you just go along with people, or just end up somewhere.. Or you just see what you’ll do there..
But not only self-searched information obstructs the feeling of adventure. Also information posted on social media can obstruct this feeling. Fiona describes this effect clearly.
Fiona: I understand.. I am.. I would rather.. I recommend everyone to do so (going to Asia, resp.), because it is probably delightful.. But I would rather.. when I am travelling.. to do something.. I don’t know where I end up. Like I said, because of Facebook, I know EXACTLY how it looks like in Cambodia! I know exactly what Angkor Wat looks like. I don’t have to go there anymore. I don’t need to see it anymore.. No I would probably want to go there at some point, and it probably will be magnificent when you’re there.. Only I.. maybe get some sort of aversion to go there because of Facebook.
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The experience of negative effects of the use of digital media among backpackers is hence in threefold; irritation, diminishing of the social aspect and the obstruction of the feeling of adventure.
Positive effects of using digital media
Despite of the negative feelings that were expressed towards the use of digital media while travelling, the participants also expressed positive feelings. All the participants
acknowledged that it could be very useful and that everyone had used digital media sometime during their trip, because there are several advantages to using digital media.
Digital media offer a platform which enables an easy connection with other
backpackers met during travelling. This can be seen in twofold. On the one hand it is easy to add someone on, for example, Facebook, and keep in touch with fellow backpackers. This could be useful to see where the fellow traveler is at that time, and if they are close enough to meet up with. Next to this, if the fellow traveler has been where the backpacker is at that given time, tips and tricks for the place where the backpacker is can be exchanged.
On the other hand, after the backpacker returned home it is possible to stay in touch with their newly made friends. This can be useful in different ways. Emma, for example, kept in touch and met friends from a former trip again, on the other side of the world.
Emma: Something that also happened to me is that people I already knew, from when I was travelling through Eastern Europe. That they moved to Asia. There was a girl from Canada, whom I met in Bosnia en she moved to Bangkok and another girl that I met in.. Bulgaria, from Japan.. She lives.. in Cambodia. And I saw it on Facebook and I thought ‘Oh sweet, I’m going there!’. So. There I met them.
Kees: OOOH, Bangkok is awful.
Emma: Yes, but it is SUPER weird.. people whom you’ve met on the other side of the world and also are from the other side of the world.. That’s really weird.
But it is beautiful that is so easy to.. stay in touch.
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Another reason to use digital media is to search for all kinds of information. For example booking sites to search for accommodation and applications like Tripadvisor give information on where to go, what to do – and what not. Information can also be gathered through digital contact with travelers who already have been to the place of interest. Like stated at the negative effects, this could obstruct the feeling of adventure, but also offers a chance to see the most marvelous places. In the third focus group this was discussed:
Jilke: While.. Sometimes you would go to some village that.. that somewhere in ten sentences was described in Lonely Planet or just on good luck and that turned out to be the most beautiful place.. Precisely because you had no image of the place…
Gosse: But then you discover it yourself hé..
Jilke: Yes. So social media influences that in a negative way.
Nick: It enhances the fact that you.. The fact that you’re following the footsteps of other people. That you’re following the beaten track, instead of creating your own adventure.
Gosse: yes, but on the other hand it gives you a safe feeling, if you’re in a place you don’t know. You can look up where you are, see what’s near, send a message to people.. So it is.. On the on hand it makes the adventure less original, but on the other hand.. Eh. Yeah. You have more grasp. Nick: And more possibilities than before.
Jilke: Yes because you’ll come at a lot of places, just because you have wifi. Things you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
Information gathering is also useful for a certain feeling of safety. For example Jolijn tells about her experience as a woman travelling alone, and the safety it gives if she can book an accommodation beforehand, in reaction on why it is a stress relief for Jesse:
Jesse: Why it (social media, resp.) makes it (travelling, resp.) easier? Well. For me it would be.. eh.. more assurance, and less stress. I just want to know things for sure. That I know for sure that there is something fun, especially when you arrive in a big city. Then it is harder to find something compared to a small village where everything is shown on signs. So yes. For myself I rather know: this is fun or that is fun. So that’s why I rather have something like Tripadvisor, which I can consult.
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Jolijn: I do understand what you’re saying.. That you sort of have a certainty-thingy. Because I used to have that when I went to a new city, to a new place by myself.. And when I knew I would arrive in the evening.. Then I would go to an internet cafe and Tripadvisor or something like that [to check] in which area I had to be or sometimes already book something online. Because I knew I would arrive in the evening, you are tired, you are alone, you are a girl..
Marije: Yes.
Information sharing is also an important aspect. It seems that most backpackers don’t hesitate to share their experiences online. Sometimes local people ask for a review, sometimes experiences are just really good or really bad. Fiona tells about how she is not afraid to share her discontent:
Fiona: I’m used to when it was réally bad.. to write a really shitty review.. times ten million. *Everybody laughing*
Fiona: But that works anyways. One time I stayed at such a ter-ri-ble thing.. You were treated as dirt.. Yes I love to share that on Tripadvisor.
Daryll: Yes of course, Yes. If you can think along with your fellowman..
Last but not least, digital media are used out of habit. It is easy to fall back to the lifestyle the backpackers used to have before they went travelling. Besides that, most of the travelers now are digital natives, digital media is intertwined in their lifestyle. It seems to the participants that using digital media sometimes is just easy to use. Next to this, it also fills up time if they have to wait for something.
Niels: I was.. I had when I was really bored.. and when there were no other backpackers around.. For example in Indonesia.. And then it was quite nice if you could just scroll through Facebook because there is nothing else you can do..
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Another reason why it is easy to use digital media is because new technologies have become more accessible and prevalent. Gosse and Nick are discussing the concept of flashpacker and their view on the concept.
Nick: It’s a little like.. eh..
Gosse: A backpacker with more money.
Nick: Well it’s what you see more these days. So.. Instead of a bunch of hippies around a campfire, people are more in the common area.. Everybody with a small laptop or a.. a.. iPad in his hands. Gosse: But it’s.. It’s so much easier nowadays to take that along. And to use it. You just need it. Nick: Hmmja.
In the eyes of the participants is almost every backpacker becoming a, or at least a little bit of a, flashpacker, because of the prevalence of technologies and the amount of money saved to make the trip.
Part of the habit of using social media is to show off. Participants suggested that if they posted on social media, this was either to keep the home front posted or to show everyone how wonderful it was there, how good their life is. For example:
Boyke: But Instragram, isn’t that even more show-off? Because it’s all about photo’s. That’s just: hey look at me, selfies.. And look how much fun, and look how wonderful and look what a sunset! Daryll: And you’re able to edit it right?
Fiona: Yes
Boyke: On Facebook it is still sort of.. You can type a story or you can.. yeah I don’t know.. say something without showing how magnificent it is.
Gosse: Yes because most people tell you beforehand.. Oh you’re going there? Nice! Keep in touch, or show something every now and then.. And then I think.. Yeah alright. Interest.
Nick: It feels a little bit like an obligation, and a little bit like a show-off. This is what I’ve done, look at me. Gosse: But you see.. often from friends.. that your friends like a picture and it is a picture of someone standing on a mountain or something like that. That kind of pictures.
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Jilke: Of course you want to share. I think. Certainly when you are backpacking by yourself, I think it is quite easy then.. Just to post something on Facebook, because it will get you likes and messages.. Then you’ve shared it sort of.. That’s also what social media is about I guess..
Gosse: Attention.
As described above the experience of the positive effects of digital media use among backpackers is in threefold, similar to the negative effects. First, digital media is used to stay in touch with fellow backpackers, during the trip as well as after they arrived back home or at other trips. Another positive effect of the use of digital media is the amount of information available. Backpackers use all sorts of digital media to search for information, or share information with other backpacker. Lastly, the use of digital media is a habit, embedded in their lifestyle. Within this habit lies a certain show-off to other people, to boast about their adventures.
All original Dutch quotations are added in Appendix 2.
Conclusion and Discussion
The answer on what the motives are for emerging adults to use or not to use digital media is found in fourfold. These motives can be seen in the light of the U&G which states that media, digital media in this particular case, are used to fulfill certain uses and
gratifications. These uses and gratifications can be seen as motives to use digital media (Boer & Brennecke, 2003).
First, underlying motives can be found in the experience of – being a – backpacker and backpacking. Freedom plays an important role, because backpackers need the feeling they are free, free to do and not do as they please. The social aspect is also important, the contact with other backpackers shapes their travelling experience. Loker-Murphy and Pearce (1995) also stressed the importance of the social aspect. The dichotomy between freedom and social connectedness can be explained through several of these characteristics of emerging adults. Whilst creating their social identity, social connections are very important
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(Arnett, 2004). However, gaining more responsibility and existing as a unique human being results in the need for freedom. Last in this dimension is heterogeneity. Sorensen (2003) already described the diversity of backpackers, and the data of this research confirmed his statement. There is also an acknowledgement of the rise of the flashpacker. Paris (2012) stated that a flashpacker differs from a normal backpacker because they have more money to spent, choose the backpacker lifestyle and have access to new technologies. This study suggests that new technologies are now accessible for a broader audience and therefore almost every backpacker could partially be considered a flashpacker. Because the backpacker culture is so diverse, so are their motives.
Nevertheless, the main motives are captured in the following three dimensions; the
experience of home, negative consequences of the use of digital media and positive
consequences of the use of digital media. Home is seen as an out-group environment.
Because of this, contact can lead to irritation and is not seen as a necessity. However, letting family know that they’re OK feels like an obligation. Contact with home, which occurs mostly through digital media nowadays (Germann Molz & Paris, 2013), is very important, because it creates a feeling of safety, for example in case of emergency. These seemingly opposites can be related to the phase of life of these backpackers. During emerging adulthood young people are gaining responsibility and are separating them from their family, but on the other hand this separation is not yet complete and home still functions as a safety net (Coyne, Padilla-Walker & Howard, 2013).
During the focus groups a lot of negative feelings were shown towards the use of digital media. Irritation of the use by other people was the most prevalent feeling, and it seems a huge motivator to therefore not use digital media. But next to this irritation, the backpackers suggested that it diminished the social aspect of the trip. Because people are so caught up in using digital media, they forget to socialize with the people around them. The third motive for not using digital media is that it seems to obstruct the feeling of adventure. This is caused by too much information, spread through digital media, either searched on purpose or forced unto the backpackers by others.
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Next to the negative feelings there was the acknowledgement of the good use of digital media, and positive feelings. What seems very important is the connection to other backpackers. This can be seen in twofold; the contact during the trip with other backpackers who were travelling at the same time to meet up and contact with these new made friends when they returned home. This contact often led to reunions or useful contact when making a new trip. Second motive to use digital media was to seek information; about the place they were going, the place they wanted to go to, and all other sorts of things. There is a
contradiction in this motive to use and the motive not to use digital media because it
obstructs adventure. Backpackers try to find a golden mean. Moreover, digital media is used out of habit. Old habits die hard and therefore the use of digital media as practiced at home is hard to let go, even though every backpacker claims to be ‘away’.
Some of these motivations are covenant with digital media use in general. For example Raacke and Bonds-Raacke (2008) found that staying in touch and sharing information are important motivations, which are similar to the information seeking and sharing and staying in touch with other backpackers. Quan-Haase and Young (2010) also found the motivations to share problems, maintain and develop friendships and have fun, which can be compared to the need to contact home, to keep in touch with other
backpackers and the use out of habit found in this study.
This research had a qualitative and explorative nature. It is important to address the limitations that occurred during the course of the study. First, the results are not
generalizable to the entire target group, because only a small number of participants is used to draw conclusions about the motives to use or not to use digital media. This is even more applicable because the focus groups consisted only of four or five participants. Which leads to another implication; time. This thesis had to be written within a set time, so recruiting participants was extra difficult. Although the author used backpackers within her own acquaintances, it still was quite a task to get enough people together on the same place on the same time, within the set time frame. Ideally the focus groups would have existed of five or more people, unknown to the interviewer and each other so the only thing they would
31
have in common was their backpacking experience. Furthermore, the participants ideally would have been classified by age.
For future research it is important to test these motives on a broader public. A quantitative survey could be held amongst backpackers. Online surveys combined with offline surveys are a good way to reach backpackers (Paris, 2013), and could test the found motives to use and not to use digital media. The seemingly conflicting need for freedom and the need for social interaction and connectedness among backpackers in the age of
emerging adults is another finding of this study that is interesting for further research. A study with a more specific aim on this dichotomy could give more insights herein.
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Appendix 2 - Original Dutch quotes
Introduction
Gosse: wat ook leuk is dat je ook ziet met mensen die zo’n reis hebben gemaakt, dat ze er nooit over op houden. Dat.. Dat het altijd is.. Oh ja ik heb ook iets mee gemaakt en het was aan de andere kant van de wereld en het was heel interessant.
Hilde: ‘toen ik hier was’ soms ook heel irritant.
Gosse: maarja je hebt altijd een interessant verhaal..
Gosse: Maar je gaat je ook nog jarenlang steeds andere dingetjes herinneren. Zo van ‘oh ja, dit heb ik ook nog.. Dit was ook tijdens die reis!’
The experience of backpacking and backpackers
Jantine: vrijheid.. Denk ik. Relaxen, even niet dat serieuze.. van de studie. Lekker weg. Ja. De vrijheid.
Nienke: Doen waar je zin in hebt, iedere dag. Doen wat je zelf wilt Marije: Ja. En nieuwe dingen, nieuwe cultuur..
Nienke: Nieuwe mensen, lekker weer.. Mooie dingen bekijken.. Je doet eigenlijk alleen maar leuke dingen! Tenminste dat is wel het idee.
Marije: En dat je niets hoeft Nienke: Ja.
Fiona: Ik zie wel dat als ik aan het reizen ben, misschien wat opener ben.. In mn
communicatie en weet ik wat nog meer.. Dan als ik thuis ben en in de tram zit.. […] Dan ben ik eerder gewoon muziek aan het luisteren en naar buiten aan het staren dan dat ik.. dat ik tegen iemand zou gaan lullen.. Terwijl.. Als je in je hostel bent, of ergens in de stad bent, en op reis.. […] Maar dat je veel sneller.. Mensen aanspreekt. Enne open staat om samen met andere mensen ook iets te doen die je, weet ik veel, binnen een dag hebt leren kennen en opeens BFF’s bent for life. En. Omdat je nou eenmaal dezelfde doelstellingen hebt, namelijk iets tofs doen.. Of de natuur ontdekken ofzo. En dat, herken ik wel in mezelf terug.
Lowie: en qua persoonlijkheden zou ik eerder zeggen.. In eerste instantie heb je natuurlijk wel een beeld bij een soort backpacker.. Maar uiteindeljk, omdat zo veel verschillende mensen tegenwoordig gaan backpacken denk ik wel dat dat tegenwoordig lastig is om.. eh.. om één kenmerk te geven.
Lisa: Ja.. dan zou ik zeggen toch wel.. het type.. Een typische backpacker is toch wel
avontuurlijk, eh, open minded, positief, vrolijk, nieuwsgierig.. Iets in die richting.. Maar je hebt nu natuurlijk ook heel veel mensen die.. ook zoiets hebben van.. Ik wil ook ik wil ook! En dan zou ik zeggen dat dat toch vaak studenten zijn…
Nick: Naja, wat maakt een echte backpacker? Iemand die al heel lang onderweg is? Of gewoon, iemand die heel vaak weg gaat?
Gosse: Het hangt er ook vanaf wanneer en waar je ze tegenkomt. Een.. Backpacker in Noord-Europa zal er wel anders uitzien dan eentje in Azië of Australië.
Experiencing home
Joost: Tja mn vader zei je moet iets hebben waar je skype op kan hebben.. En ja.. Ik wilde eigenlijk altijd al wel een tablet hebben voor de heb.
Kees: Ik vond dat in die jungletrekking wel echt fijn. Dat je gewoon geen elektriciteit had, je kan gewoon NIEMAND laten weten waar je bent en iedereen denkt gewoon drie dagen waar de f*ck heb je uitgehangen.
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Emma: Dat dacht ik dus op Castaway, ik zet mn telefoon gewoon uit. Ik heb ‘m wel bij me maar zet ‘m gewoon uit en stop m in mn backpack. Maar elke keer als ik ‘m uitzette ging ‘ie weer aan… Was echt zo van: ‘nee, jij wil zonder technologie maar dat mag niet’.
*Gelach allen*
Emma: Toen heb ik de batterij eruit gehaald.
Fiona: Nou misschien toch een beetje.. zoiets van.. ik ben op reis en niet met thuis bezig ofzo. Terwijl. Het is wel belangrijk om in contact te blijven mocht er iets aan de hand zijn of mocht er leuk nieuws te delen zijn ofzo.. Alleen eerder.. Ik zou liever dus af en toe even een fotootje op Facebook gooien met ik heb het fantastisch, doei.. Dan dat ik elke dag met mensen in contact zou willen zijn van thuis.
Jilke: Ik heb wel een keer.. Toen ik uit Azië kwam ben ik via Denemarken gegaan.. En toen had ik een treinticket van Denemarken naar Nederland geboekt.. En toen had ik de
verkeerde maand.. Toen heb ik heel snel mn moeder gebeld op skype, en gevraagd of zij die website wilde bellen want dat ging natuurlijk niet vanuit Azië en toen heb ik via mn
moeder op skype met die vrouw gebeld.. En dat weer.. En dat is toen nog weer datzelfde uur goed kunnen zetten. Op zo’n moment is het wel heel handig.
Lowie: Ja voor het thuisfront wel. Dat vind ik wel noodzakelijk. Niels: Ja voor thuis ook wel.
Lowie: En dan niet van levensbelang, maar je voelt toch wel dat je dat moet doen.. Niels: Nouja niet voor mezelf maar wel voor je moeder..
*Gelach iedereen*
Lowie: Maar jij weet voor jezelf ook dat zij zich zorgen maakt dus dat vind je ook niet chill Niels: Ja maar ik had daar genoeg andere dingen daar om me bezig te houden, maar als ik dan te horen krijg dat ik een paar dagen niets van me heb laten horen…
Lowie: Dat is dan fijn juist als je geen media hebt!
Lowie: Mijn broer heeft op zijn reis.. ehh.. gesolliciteerd, een soort van zn droombaan. Heeft ‘ie geskypt gesolliciteerd.. eehh.. en dus via die sollicitatie zijn baan gekregen.
Via Skype?
Lowie: Via Skype! Dus social media gebruik op reis.. het was noodzakelijk om te doen.. want anders had ik niet gekund op reis.. Ja dus social media gebruik was daar wel echt positief.
Negative effects of using digital media
Fiona: Wanneer ik ’s avonds aan het chillen was in een hostel en ik had mn telefoon bij me en er is wifi.. Ik zou dan niet perse de urge hebben, máár iedereen om je heen gaat dat toch wel doen. Omdat iedereen om je heen een smartphone bij zich heeft, óók in f*cking Chaing Mai.. Waar dan ook. Dus. En dan zit je ’s avonds bij een kampvuur.. En in plaats van dat je met zn allen een biertje gaat drinken zit iedereen op zn smartphone. En dat.. is de wifi curse. Boyke: Ja opzich is het soms ook wel gewoon makkelijk om.. om.. op je wall te posten.. En een bericht te zetten van.. Kijk eens. En dan weet iedereen het en dan hoef je niet iedereen persoonlijk een bericht te sturen, want dat is soms ook wel een beetje van dat je denkt.. ja. Pf. Jezus, dan vraagt ‘ie weer hoe het gaat, en daar heb ik helemaal geen zin in en tijd voor.. Naja geen tijd voor.. Dat heb je wel maar tijd van in de zin van.. kom op. En dan denk ik van, dan post ik gewoon weer tien foto’s en dan is iedereen weer tevreden. Soort van.
Fiona: Ja
Jolijn: Maarreeh.. Ik vond het zelf HEEL irritant als we met zn allen naar een restaurant gingen, en het eerste wat iedereen deed was.. Mag ik het wachtwoord van wifi en contacten met thuis en ah. Heb je dit gehoord in Nederland? En die voetballer is uit elkaar met die. Pff. Geen zin in.
37 Nick: Ik stoorde me er af en toe wel een beetje aan..
Aan?
Nick: Nou dat je inderdaad.. Ik ben.. Ik was in mn eentje op pad… En dan moet je
noodgedwongen je sociale contacten gaan leggen. En je had gewoon hostels waar dat twee keer zo moeilijk was als bij andere hostels, omdat de helft van de mensen.. Gewoon.. Echt volledig met zn eigen ding was.
Jilke: Ja?
Nick: Dus in plaats van.. ja.. Dat ze nogsteeds met een been thuis zijn.. Omdat ze continu contact aan het onderhouden zijn.
Hilde: Omdat ze de hele tijd bezig zijn? Nick: Niet altijd, maar zo af en toe.
Lisa: soms heeft het zeker wel geholpen, maar soms kom je toch bij de leukste dingen uit als je gewoon met mensen mee gaat, of je beland ergens. Of je ziet het gewoon daar wel. Fiona: Ik snap.. ik ben .. ik wil zelf graag liever.. ik raad iedereen het aan om te doen, want het is waarschijnlijk heerlijk.. Maar ik zou zelf dus liever.. als ik op reis ga.. iets willen doen.. waarvan ik niet weet waar ik terecht kom.. Zoals ik al zei, door Facebook, ik weet PRECIES hoe het eruit ziet in Cambodja hoor! Ik weet precies hoe Angkor Wat eruit ziet. Ik hoef er niet meer heen. Ik hoef het niet meer te zien.. Nee ik wil er vast nog een keer heen, en het is vast prachtig als je er bent.. Alleen ik.. krijg misschien zelfs een beetje door Facebook een aversie om daar heen te gaan.
Positive effects of using digital media
Emma: Ik had ook wel dat, de mensen die ik al kende, van toen ik in Oost Europa aan het reizen was. Dan nu naar Azië waren verhuisd. Het was een meisje uit Canada, die had ik leren kennen in Bosnië en zij was naar Bangkok verhuisd en een meisje dat ik had leren kennen in.. Bulgarije, uit Japan.. Die nu in.. Cambodja woont. En dat had ik op Facebook gezien en dacht ik ‘Oh leuk, daar ga ik heen’. Dus. Daar heb ik toen met hen afgesproken. Kees: OOhh, Bangkok is echt verschrikkelijk.
Emma: Ja, maar het is eigenlijk SUPER raar om mensen die je aan de andere kant van de wereld hebt ontmoet en die je dan ook nog van de andere kant van de wereld vandaan komen.. Eh wut!? Haha weetje. Dat is wel heel raar.
Maar dat is wel mooi, dat je makkelijk met elkaar in contact kan blijven nog.
Emma: Facebook is daar echt fantastisch voor. Ik heb daarvoor ook Facebook aangemaakt! Jilke: Terwijl soms ging je naar een of ander dorpje wat.. wat ergens tien regels was in Lonely Planet, of gewoon op goed geluk en dat waren dan juist de plekken die het mooist waren. Juist omdat je er geen beeld van had.
Gosse: Maar dan ontdenk je het ook zelf he..
Jilke: Ja. Dus social media beïnvloed dat dus wel heel negatief.
Nick: Het versterkt nog wel het feit dat je.. Het feit dat je andermans voetsporen aan het volgen bent. Dat je het gebaande pad aan het afwandelen bent, in plaats van je eigen avontuur aan het maken bent.
Gosse: Ja. Maar aan de andere kant geeft het je wel een veilig gevoel, als je op een plek bent die je niet kent. Je kunt opzoeken waar je bent, kijken wat er in de buurt is, mensen bericht geven.. Dus het is.. Aan de ene kant maakt het je avontuur wat minder origineel, maar aan de andere kant.. Eh. Ja. Heb je wel meer houvast.
Nick: En meer mogelijkheden dan voorheen.
Jilke: Ja want je komt ook op heel veel plekken, juist doordat je wifi hebt. Wat je anders niet had bedacht.
Jesse: Waarom het makkelijker maakt? Naja. Voor mij zou het.. eh.. Meer zekerheid, en minder stress geven ofzo. Ik wil gewoon dingen zeker weten. Dat ik zeker weet dat er iets
