Silent yet Not Deserted: Associations Between Ringer Modes, Mobile Phone Use, and Digital Stress

While digital disconnection and smartphone regulation have gained scholarly attention, little is known about phone setting customizations. Currently, there is inconsistent evidence on whether modifying ringer modes reduces actual smartphone use and digital stress. Some studies suggest that a silent mode can reduce phone attentiveness, whereas others deem it ineffective or counterproductive. Drawing on self-determination theory, we explore the associations between preferred ringer mode, smartphone use (i.e., screen time and number of unlocks), and digital stress, alongside intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. We analyzed data from a quota-based survey of 386 smartphone users in Flanders (Belgium) using structural equation modeling multigroup analyses. Our study revealed few direct associations between preferred ringer mode and smartphone use or digital stress. However, our findings underscore the crucial role of motivation in choosing a ringer mode, revealing multiple significant associations among intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, phone use, and digital stress. We discuss these theoretical and empirical findings in light of self-determination theory.