Music consumption: Lifestyle choice or addiction

This study extends the current debate on the consumption and addictiveness of a variety of electronic media such as television, video games, and the Internet to research to the use of MP3 technology. Digitalisation has enabled consumers to enjoy music at any time and in any place. For some individuals, this freedom of choice has led to behaviour that controls other aspects of their lives. The current study is exploratory and combines a qualitative deprivation study and a quantitative survey of 200+ adults to explore the addictiveness of music consumption. The findings imply that for some consumers music use is addictive with negative effects on their lives, but for most consumers it is a life enhancing activity.