JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Smartphones have become integral to people's lives, with a noticeable increase in the average screen time, both on a global scale and, notably, in India. Existing research links mobile consumption to sleep problems, poor physical and mental health, and lower subjective well-being. The comparative effectiveness of monetary incentives given for self-selected vs. assigned targets on reducing screen time and thereby improving mental health remains unanswered.

Objective:

The study aims to assess the impact of monetary incentives and target selection on mobile screen time reduction and mental health

Methods:

We designed a 3-armed randomized controlled trial conducted with employees and students at an educational institution in India. The study is conducted digitally over 12 weeks, including a 2-week baseline, 1-week randomization, 5-week intervention, and 4-week post-intervention periods. We emailed the employees and students to inquire about their interest in participation. Those who expressed interest received detailed study information and consent forms. After securing consent, participants were asked to complete the initial survey and provide their mobile screen time during the baseline period. At the beginning of the intervention period, the participants were randomly allocated into one of three study groups in a 2:2:1 ratio (self-selected: assigned: control); participants in the self-selected group were presented with three target options: 10%, 20%, and 30%, and were asked to self-select a target to reduce their mobile screen time from their baseline average mobile screen time. The participants in the assigned group were given a target to reduce their mobile screen time from their baseline average mobile screen time. The assigned target was determined as the average of the targets selected by participants in the self-selected group. During the intervention period, participants in the self-selected and assigned group were eligible to receive a monetary incentive of Rs 50 per day for successfully attaining their target. Participants in the control group neither received nor selected a target for reducing their mobile screen time and did not receive any monetary incentives during the intervention period. All participants received information regarding the advantages of reducing mobile screen time. As an incentive, all participants would receive Rs 500 upon completion of the study and a chance to win one of two lotteries valued at Rs 5000 for consistently sharing their mobile screen time data. The study's primary outcomes are an average reduction in screen time and a target achievement rate during the intervention compared to the baseline. Secondary outcomes are an average reduction in mobile screen time and target achievement rate and an average improvement in mental health during the post-intervention period compared to the baseline.

Results:

Currently, the study intervention is being rolled out. Enrollment occurred between the 21st of August and the 2nd of September 2023; data collection will conclude in November 2023. We expect that results will be available by December 2023

Conclusions:

The monetary incentives and self-selected vs. assigned targets might be effective interventions in reducing mobile screen time among working professionals and students Clinical Trial: Pre-registered at AsPredicted (Aspredicetd_142497)