Abstract. Digital Addiction (DA) is an emerging behavioural phenomenon that denotes an obsessive and problematic usage of digital media. Such usage could meet various criteria of an addictive behaviour such as salience, conflict, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms and, hence, it would raise new challenges and ethical considerations on the way we engineer software. Luckily, software as a medium for such addictive usage could be also a medium for enacting a behaviour change and prevention strategy towards a regulated usage. However, due to the recentness of such software-based interventions, we still need a body of knowledge on how to develop them. In this paper, we conduct empirical research, through a diary study and an online forum content analysis, to understand users' perception of such emerging systems. The results shed the light on a range of design aspects and risks when building and validating such persuasive intervention technology.Keywords: Digital Addiction, e-Heath design, design for behavioural change.
IntroductionThe wealth of information and digital connectivity is a characteristic of a modern society but its excessive and obsessive use may result in a less sustainable society and create social and mental well-being problems. The consequences of such Digital Addiction (hereafter DA) on individuals and collectively, include poor academic performance, reduced social and recreational activities, relationships breakups, low involvement in real-life communities, poor parenting, depression and lack of sleep [1,2,3]. DA manifests psychological characteristics and along with dependency, the user can experience withdrawal symptoms (e.g. depression, cravings, insomnia, and irritability). Estimates of DA vary according to country and according to the definition of DA and the metrics used to measure it in the studies. Such estimates of internet addiction suggest that 6%-15% of the general population test positive on signs of addiction; this figure rises to 13-18% among university students who have been identified as most at risk for DA [4]; at 18.3% UK has a relatively high prevalence of DA amongst university students [5]. The existing literature on DA has focused mainly on users' psychology. There is a paucity of research that positions software and its developers as primary actors in the development of DA. A notable exceptions are the research in [6,7] which advocates that by developing DA-aware architecture and design, software developers can minimise addictive usage and thereby prevent or intervene early with DA. Software developers, together with users, can use inputs from technology and psychology to create DA-aware software and facilitate a healthy use of digital technology.Technology-assisted behaviour change is an emerging topic and we are witnessing an increase in its adoption in several domains and for different addictive and problematic behaviours. For example, online intervention is being used for alcohol addiction and encouraging a responsible drinking [8]. Also, the advances in information techno...