The Unbearable Lightness of Scrolling

What do seemingly simple smartphone gestures such as scrolling and swiping reveal about the lives of young people? This book delves into these everyday habits, often dismissed as mindless or addictive, to uncover the hidden worlds behind simplistic narratives. The anthropological study focuses on the challenges faced by young people in the transition phase between school and work in Vienna and explores how these small digital actions reect big challenges such as coping with unemployment, rigid schedules and an uncertain future. The study, which was conducted in youth centres, schools and employment schemes, shows that digital design and real-life struggles are closely linked. Far from being trivial, scrolling and swiping tell a story that goes beyond digital technologies. This book offers a novel perspective on smartphone habits and what they reveal about our lives and society.