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Third of digital shopping now on mobile devices — but there are disadvantages

Shopping with mobile devices has its advantages, mainly convenience. But that can also be a disadvantage when it comes to consumers’ personal spending habits. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/CentralITAlliance)

Shopping online via mobile devices now accounts for 33% of total digital spending, almost double what it was four years ago. And total mobile spending has grown 16% over the last year, compared to 5% year-over-year growth for desktop online spending.

But if you are not a regular mobile shopper because a small keyboard and screen doesn’t sound appealing, you are partially correct.

“The biggest friction points revolve around not being able to see an item as well as on a desktop. There will always be advantages to making certain types of purchases on bigger screens,” said Paul Dergarabedian of Reston, Virginia-based e-commerce tracking company Comscore, which tracked the recent rise in online mobile shopping.

Despite growing faster than desktop online shopping, even seasoned mobile shoppers prefer the bigger screen and easier navigation of a desktop computer for some purchases.

“Larger dollar purchases — some consumers may still be more comfortable completing that transaction on a desktop,” Dergarabedian told WTOP.

Furniture and appliances, office supplies and consumer electronics have all seen smaller growth in mobile sales than in desktop sales.

Shopping via mobile devices has its advantages, mainly convenience to shop from just about anywhere. But that can also be a disadvantage when it comes to consumers’ personal spending habits.

“I think a lot of people, where they might hesitate to buy something, that interaction with their mobile device — and then often having the ability to make that purchase with the touch of a button — makes it almost too easy,” Dergarabedian said.

Mobile e-commerce spending totaled $47.8 billion in the second quarter of 2020, versus $108.2 billion for desktop transactions, according to Comscore data.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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