“This is not a book about smartphones”. Review of Scrolled Down. The Smartphone in Polish Everyday Life by Magdalena Hodalska and Łukasz Buksa

Recenzja książki Magdaleny Hodalskiej i Łukasza Buksy pt. Przewinięci. Smartfon w polskiej codzienności (Kraków: Instytut Dziennikarstwa, Mediów i Komunikacji Społecznej Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego; Nowy Targ: Wydawnictwo ToC, 2025)

Abstract

The review examines Scrolled Down: The Smartphone in Polish Everyday Life by Magdalena Hodalska & Łukasz Buksa, one of the first Polish monographs to comprehensively explore smartphone use in everyday life. The author argues that the book's main contribution lies in its human-centered perspective, focusing on people's everyday practices rather than technology itself. Drawing on an extensive literature review and findings from the #HumanePhone project, the authors of the monograph analyze smartphone use in various contexts, including health, eating, driving, hygiene, and social interactions. The review highlights the book's interdisciplinary approach, empirical grounding, accessible style, and balanced discussion of both the opportunities and risks associated with smartphone use. It concludes that the monograph is a valuable contribution to media and communication studies and an important resource for both researchers and general readers.