App-based smartphone screen time restriction program: Two-week self-guided use of an iOS screen time restriction app. Participants block their most distracting apps, with notifications disabled. Unlocking requires a 30-second delay, allows 10 minutes of access, then a 5-minute cooldown.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a short, self-guided program for cutting down smartphone screen time can reduce symptoms of depression in young adults. It includes students in Oslo, Norway, who have applied for help at the student mental health service (SiO Mental Health).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does a 2-week screen time reduction program reduce symptoms of depression?
* Does it reduce symptoms of anxiety?
* Can a simple, widely available phone app reduce screen time, and does the reduction last?
Researchers will compare students who start the program right away with students who continue their usual care for 2 weeks and receive the same program afterwards. Participants are placed in one of the two groups by chance, like flipping a coin.
Participants will:
* Answer questionnaires about depression and anxiety symptoms at the start and again after 2 weeks
* Upload screenshots of the Screen Time summary on their iPhone at the start, after 2 weeks, and after 12 weeks
* Install an app that blocks the apps they find most distracting and keep it active for 2 weeks, if they are placed in the program group
* Take part entirely online, with no clinic visits and no contact with the study team
| Facility | City | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studentsamskipnaden i Oslo | Oslo | Norway |
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
View NCT07827703 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Norway