ÜBERMAD

Action

Cut down screen time

Less phone, social media or screen use.

A curly-haired woman on a floor cushion turns pages of a book, her phone face-down in a basket beside her.

Studies (3)

  1. Paper

    Swapping night screen time for something else did no better than a goal
    UsedNo difference

    A plan for another activity instead of night phone use did no better than a goal to cut it.

    Small randomised trial of 55 people in their first year of work · vs coaching to set goals for less evening device use · they rated themselves · ⚠ many people dropped out; summary claims more than the results show; numbers unreliable

  2. Paper

    Weekly point goals and a leaderboard got drivers to hold their phones less
    UsedHelped

    With weekly point goals and a leaderboard, drivers held their phones a fifth less than with risk lessons alone.

    Large randomised trial of 1,653 US drivers who often held phones while driving · vs drivers who only got lessons on the risks · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

    UsedNo difference

    A phone mount, or a promise with if-then plans and texted tips, cut phone use no more than risk lessons.

    Large randomised trial of 1,653 US drivers who often held phones while driving · vs drivers who only got lessons on the risks · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

    UsedNo difference

    Adding small cash prizes to the point goals and leaderboard cut phone use no more than the game alone.

    Large randomised trial of 1,653 US drivers who often held phones while driving · vs the same game without cash prizes · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

  3. Paper

    Parent classes raised plans to limit TV, but children's TV time wasn't compared
    UsedNo comparison

    After group classes, parents meant to watch over TV more than others, but children's viewing wasn't compared.

    Trial, groups not picked at random of 120 parents of primary school children in Iran · no comparison group · they rated themselves · ⚠ numbers unreliable; summary claims more than the results show; groups weren't properly compared

Often used with it