Digital Intervention for Problematic Smartphone Use

Abstract

Smartphones have become the primary devices for accessing the online world. The potential for smartphone use to become problematic has come into increasing focus. Students and young adults have been shown to use their smartphones at high rates and may be at risk for problematic use. There is limited research evaluating interventions for problematic smartphone use. The present research aimed to develop and evaluate a digital intervention for problematic smartphone use in a student population. A mixed-method case series design was used. The participants were 10 students with mild–moderate dependency on the online world (measured via a self-report questionnaire). An intervention comprising goal setting, personalised feedback, mindfulness, and behavioural suggestions was delivered via a smartphone application. Time spent on smartphones was measured objectively through the same application. Changes in problematic technology use, wellbeing, mindfulness, and sleep were also evaluated. The findings indicate that the intervention resulted in a reduction in self-reported problematic smartphone use, but not screen time. The findings also indicate that over the course of participation, there was a positive influence on wellbeing, online dependency, mindfulness, and sleep. However, the mechanisms of change could not be determined. The study provides preliminary evidence that a light-touch, smartphone-delivered package is an acceptable and effective intervention for students wishing to better manage their problematic smartphone use.

Content and Effectiveness of Web-Based Treatments for Online Behavioral Addictions: Systematic Review

“…Eight studies (ten arms) reported the delivery of cognitive restructuring [ 45 , 51 , 54 , 55 ], cognitive bias modification (CBM) [ 47 , 50 ], exposure therapy [ 49 ], or mindfulness [ 53 ]. Cognitive restructuring prompted participants to identify, challenge, and replace automatic negative thoughts associated with gaming, gambling, pornography, and nonspecified internet use.…”

“…Five studies (five arms) reported the delivery of stimulus control [ 46 , 53 , 56 ], behavioral substitution [ 45 ], or self-monitoring [ 45 , 48 ], and five studies (five arms) delivered social support [ 45 , 48 , 52 , 54 , 55 ]. Stimulus control involved periods of exclusion from online gambling venues or reducing prompts, inclusive of removing notifications, placing the phone out of sight, or turning it off and establishing phone-free periods during the day (eg, before sleep).…”

“…Five studies (six arms) reported the delivery of motivational enhancement [ 45 , 48 , 51 , 52 ], decisional balance [ 45 , 48 , 51 ], or goal setting [ 45 , 48 , 51 , 53 ]. Motivational enhancement aimed to reduce consumption or increase help seeking by increasing readiness to change.…”

“…Seven studies (eight arms) reported the delivery of information gathering [ 51 , 52 , 54 ], information provision [ 48 , 52 ], feedback on assessment [ 45 , 51 , 53 , 55 ], or social comparison [ 51 , 55 ]. Information gathering explored the development of the problem, family history, motives for the addictive behavior, past change attempts, and an assessment of comorbid psychiatric disorders.…”

Risks of Accidents Caused by the Use of Smartphone by Pedestrians Are Task- and Environment-Dependent

“…Today’s mobile phone has many features besides talking or sending messages. All its possibilities are making people more and more attracted to the benefits of the digital world, regardless of the risks they may cause [ 1 , 2 ].…”