Monetary Incentives and Goal Selection to Reduce Mobile Screen Usage, Create Habit and Improve Mental Health
Introduction
Smartphones are integral to everyday lives, with average screen time rising significantly worldwide, including in India. Research links high screen time to lower subjective wellbeing, sleep disturbances and poorer physical and mental health, such as reduced physical activity, delayed motor development in children and higher risk of obesity. However, it remains unclear whether self-selected or imposed screen time targets are more effective in reducing usage.
About the Study
Assessing the impact of monetary incentives and goal selection on screen time reduction and mental well-being.
Methodology
We conducted a 3-armed Randomised Controlled Trial with the employees and students at an educational institution in India. The 12-week experimental study included a 2-week baseline, 1-week randomisation, 5-week intervention, and 4-week post-intervention phases. Participants, enrolled via email, were allocated in a 2:2:1 ratio into one of three groups: self-selected target, assigned target with incentives and control. In the self-selected group, the participants chose their screen time reduction targets and were offered incentives. In the assigned group, participants were assigned a target and given incentives, while the control group had no defined targets or incentives. Secondary outcomes included post-intervention screen time, target achievement, and mental well-being (measured with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores) at baseline, end of the intervention, and post-intervention. Daily mood was monitored through a WhatsApp survey.
Intended Outcomes
The insights will provide valuable guidance to policymakers and consumer advocacy groups in creating effective interventions to curb excessive smartphone use.