Time Well Spent – Promoting Self-Regulated Social Media Use on Smartphones with a Mobile Intervention App: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Abstract

Problematic social media use negatively impacts users' well-being, linked to diminished impulse control. While digital self-control apps show promise in reducing general app usage, reactance often arises due to current tools inadequately addressing users’ preferences regarding when, where and how the intervention should occur. Furthermore, their effectiveness in mitigating problematic social media use remains uncertain.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the customisable intervention app Wellspent that was designed to support users control their social media consumption.

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants completed weekly online surveys to evaluate the Wellspent app's effectiveness. Following baseline (Week 1), the intervention group received personalized full-screen reminders with the option to quit or continue social media app use, whenever an app session exceeded a self-defined time limit. The RCT’s pre-registered primary outcome targeted changes in problematic social media use between Week 1 and 3. Secondary outcomes comprised problematic smartphone use, self-efficacy and time of social media app use. Linear mixed models tested intervention effects.

A total of 70 participants were allocated to the intervention (n = 35) or control group (n = 35). Null effects were found for the reduction of problematic social media use and the enhancement of self-efficacy. Significant time x group effects confirmed the app's impact on social media app usage, with the intervention (vs. control) group significantly reducing their daily usage by approximately half an hour (Est = -26.57, SE = 6.41, p < .001, 95% CI [-39.14, -14.04]). Furthermore, participants’ overall perception of their own problematic smartphone use significantly decreased in the intervention (vs. control) group (Est = -0.47, SE = 0.16, p < .001, 95% CI [-0.77, -0.17]).

In conclusion, the Wellspent app, a customizable intervention tool targeting problematic social media app use, exhibited initial efficacy by reducing daily social media app usage and perceptions of problematic smartphone use. While further research is needed to address limitations and refine the app's features, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of customizable interventions for promoting self-regulated smartphone use.

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00031767