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Digital Strategies for Screen Time Reduction

A Randomized Field Experiment

Bibliographic Data

ID22004342
AuthorsLaura Zimmermann (0000-0002-3215-5248, IE University, corresponding author), Michael Sobolev (0000-0002-8931-7682, Cornell University)
Year2023
Volume26
Issue1
Pages42-49
Publication date2023-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2152-2715 • E-ISSN: 2152-2723
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1089/cyber.2022.0027
PMID36577008
OpenAlexW4313280095
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited50

Many consumers nowadays wish to reduce their smartphone usage in the hope of improving productivity and well-being. We conducted a pre-registered field experiment ( N = 112) over a period of several weeks to test the effectiveness of two widely available digital strategies for screen time reduction. The effectiveness of a design friction intervention (i.e., activating grayscale mode) was compared with a goal-setting intervention (i.e., self-commitment to time limits) and a control condition (i.e., self-monitoring). The design friction intervention led to an immediate, significant reduction of objectively measured screen time compared with the control condition. Conversely, the goal-setting intervention led to a smaller and more gradual screen time reduction. In contrast to the popular belief that reducing screen time has broad benefits, we found no immediate causal effect of reducing usage on subjective well-being and academic performance

Quasi-experiment · Simulation · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Computer Science · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Mathematics · Medicine · Psychology · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Artificial Intelligence

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Unique citing works7
Citations per year2,33
Citation span2023 - 2025 (3)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 6
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