My line of work entails keeping close track of cultural trends in the digital technology field.

The trend I’ve picked in this occasion points out a common behaviour amongst mobile Internet users, which is their reluctance to produce and manage their own online content. This refers specifically to commenting on websites, micro-blogging, and blogging.

I have observed how people use digital and mobile technology in South Africa for 3 years. Data shows an incremental connectivity from mobile phones, but restricted online activity. The time users spend online is short, and given that the majority of them keep account of this as the airtime has high costs, their online engagement is limited. Due to these reasons, amongst others, users perform searches but upload very little content.