Interventions for PSU Among College Students

This project proposes to evaluate the feasibility and effects of behavioral intervention strategies on problematic smartphone use among college students. The project proposes to evaluate three behavioral intervention components- self-reflection via actively monitoring phone usage, increasing engagement in non-smartphone activities, and contingency management (i.e., financial incentives) - on short-term and long-term reductions in problematic smartphone use (PSU) among college students. The research team will develop a mobile application, referred to as the app, to collect data on a subject's daily phone usage and activity engagement. The app will comprise three features, with specific sets of features being activated during different phases. * Feature 1: The app will autonomously track the time spent on the apps categorized as social media and gaming. * Feature 2: The app will display the daily amount of usage on social media and gaming apps, with an option for a subject to confirm their acknowledgment of the daily time spent. * Feature 3: The app will display an option for subject to confirm their engagement in the alternative activities as planned.

Inclusion Criteria: * Rutgers students who are 18+ years old * Use an Android smartphone * identified as having problematic smartphone use (scored 31+ on the Smartphone Addiction Scale) Exclusion Criteria: * None