Promoting Self-Regulated Social Media Use on Smartphones With a Mobile Intervention App (Wellspent): Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: P<0.001 for screen time reduction; P=0.01 for problematic smartphone use reduction

• Effect Size: 29-minute daily reduction in screen time on most problematic app

• Primary Outcome: No significant reduction in problematic social media use or increase in self-efficacy

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not calculable from provided data

• Confidence Interval: 95% CI -42.79 to -15.99 minutes

Clinical Application

High feasibility as smartphone-based intervention requiring minimal clinical resources Relevant to Australian digital health strategy and mental health initiatives; could complement existing telehealth services and digital therapeutics frameworks Young adults with concerning social media usage patterns seeking self-directed digital wellness interventions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Problematic social media use has been linked to reduced well-being and impulse control difficulties. While digital self-control apps show potential for reducing general app usage, they often lack customization, leading to limited effectiveness and increased user resistance. Their impact on problematic social media use remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Wellspent app, a customizable mobile intervention app designed to promote self-regulated social media use by targeting user-defined problematic app use and offering tailored behavioral nudges. METHODS: In a 3-week randomized controlled trial, 70 iPhone users (mean age 26.2, SD 5.6 years; 47/70, 67% female), regularly using at least 1 social media app, were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=35) or control group (n=35). The intervention group received personalized full-screen reminders with the option to quit or continue social media app use whenever an app session exceeded a self-defined time limit. Participants completed weekly online surveys measuring problematic social media use, problematic smartphone use, self-efficacy, and daily screen time on their most problematic app. Linear mixed models tested intervention effects. RESULTS: While no significant reduction in problematic social media use or increase in self-efficacy was observed, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in daily screen time on their most problematic app by approximately 29 minutes (estimate=-29.35, SE 6.84, 95% CI -42.79 to -15.99; P<.001), and a significant decrease in perceived problematic smartphone use (estimate=-0.46, SE 0.18, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.11; P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Wellspent app demonstrated short-term efficacy in reducing problematic smartphone use. By allowing users to tailor interventions to their personal goals, the app shows promise as a self-directed tool to support healthier digital habits. Further research should explore long-term effects and feature-specific impacts.

References

1. 1.Mertens, L., Brockmeier, L. C., Roitzheim, C., Radtke, T., Dingler, T., & Keller, J. (2026). Promoting self-regulated social media use on smartphones with a mobile intervention app (Wellspent): Randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. https://doi.org/10.2196/56824