Digital object attachment

Digital object attachment is a complex phenomenon that has received little attention in the extant literature. The purpose of the current article is to develop a conceptual model to clarify discrepancies and encourage future work in this area. We classify digital objects into four categories by their complexity, user control, interactivity and user value. The proposed model captures the dynamic and cyclical interplay between the user, the digital object and the environment. The user-object relationship can evolve over time through user dedication and psychological ownership, enabling identity experimentation and formation that ultimately lead to object attachment. In advanced forms, digital objects can assume transitional properties that blur the user’s offline and digital existence and trigger identity transference.