The feasibility of smartphone interventions to decrease problematic use of social networking sites: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: With increasing use of social networking sites (SNSs), concerns have been raised regarding problematic social networking site use (PSNSU), including associations with mental health and well-being. Aims: The present study examined the impact of smartphone interventions on PSNSU and explored the differences in overtime variations in PSNSU, psychiatric disorder symptoms, loneliness, and general health. Methods: A six-week longitudinal randomised controlled trial (RCT) was carried out. A total of 110 participants were randomly assigned to a mindfulness group (MG, n ​= ​34) in which participants were presented with a brief mindfulness-based instruction set that tackles addictive urges, SNS intervention group (SIG, n ​= ​39); participants were given brief tips and advice about managing SNS use, or control group (CG, n ​= ​37); general health and lifestyle advice was provided. Results: The results revealed significant main effects of time for the variables of general health, anxiety, PSNSU, and loneliness across all interventions. Anxiety and PSNSU levels decreased over time. Participants psychiatric wellbeing scores also decreased across time. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the feasibility of smartphone interventions to reduce negative health consequences and PSNSU. Smartphone interventions may prove to be effective in clinical settings.

Keywords

• Smartphone intervention
• Mindfulness
• Health
• Problematic social networking site use
• Addiction