Planning a digital detox: Findings from a randomized controlled trial to reduce smartphone usage time

In the recent years, studies on health consequences of smartphone usage time have increased, yet findings on the effectiveness of usage interventions remain unclear. This preregistered study investigates the effectiveness of a planning intervention to reduce total smartphone usage time. Additionally, it examines the interventions’ underlying mechanisms of self-efficacy, intention, action, and coping planning. A primary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, with data collected at three measurement points was conducted. Three cohorts of university students were recruited during the period prior to the end-of-term exams. A total of N = 787 participants were allocated to either an intervention condition ( n = 389) or a control condition ( n = 398). At baseline measurement (T1) the intervention condition formed up to three actions and three coping plans. Self-reported self-efficacy, intention, action, and coping planning as well as objectively measured smartphone usage were assessed up to a three-weeks follow-up. The effectiveness of the intervention and the mediating mechanisms were evaluated using linear mixed models. The analysis revealed no significant effect on total smartphone usage time. With respect to the interventions underlying mechanisms, results show a significant indirect effect of self-efficacy at T2, on a reduction in total smartphone usage time at T3 but no evidence for intention, action, or coping planning. • Digital detox interventions aiming to reduce smartphone usage time show inconsistent findings. • Self-regulatory mechanisms like planning can facilitate and maintain health-behaviour change. • The study combines objectively measured smartphone usage time with self-reports of intention, planning and self-efficacy. • Smartphone usage time did not change significantly during the post-interventional period. • Participants' self-efficacy beliefs were increased, which, in turn, predicted reduced smartphone usage time.