Social Media Detoxification Through Screen Time Limits Among Pharmacy Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Chanapa Yangmang, Panida Horsiriluck, Surarong Chinwong and Dujrudee Chinwong ()
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Chanapa Yangmang: Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Panida Horsiriluck: Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Surarong Chinwong: Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Dujrudee Chinwong: Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a social media detoxification intervention in reducing social media addiction and usage time among undergraduate pharmacy students at Chiang Mai University. A total of 23 students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 11). The intervention involved reducing screen time on mobile devices by 50% over four weeks using built-in screen time restriction settings, while the control group continued regular usage. The primary outcome was the Social Media Addiction Test (SMAT) score (16-item scale; higher scores indicate greater addiction), assessed at baseline and at week 4. The secondary outcome was weekly social media usage time (minutes per week, obtained from device screen-time reports), recorded over 4 weeks. Linear regression and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were used for the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, with both models adjusting for baseline values. Results: At baseline, both groups were comparable in terms of key characteristics, SMAT score, and weekly usage. After 4 weeks, the experimental group had a significantly greater reduction in SMAT scores compared to the control group (adjusted difference = −7.92, 95% CI: −13.35 to −2.49, p = 0.006). For the secondary outcome, GEE analysis showed that the experimental group used social media for 1223.9 min/week (about 20 h/week) less than the control group (95% CI: −1720.6 to −727.1, p < 0.001). In short, social media detoxification through screen time restrictions appears to reduce social media addiction and usage time among pharmacy students. This intervention offers a promising and realistic way to help reduce social media addiction.

Keywords: social media addiction; social media detoxification; screen time reduction; digital well-being; technology use management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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