Development and evaluation of smartphone usage management system for preventing problematic smartphone use.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Problematic smartphone use is a growing concern, impacting self-control and daily functioning.
• The MindsCare app was developed to address excessive smartphone use through personalized interventions.
• Self-management tools are crucial for mitigating negative consequences of digital device over-reliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the MindsCare app in reducing smartphone usage time.
• To assess the usability and user acceptance of the MindsCare app.
• To investigate the factors influencing user intention to use the app for managing smartphone habits.

Main Methods:

• A 13-week intervention study involving 342 Korean adults (over 20 years old).
• Usability evaluation using a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model.
• Analysis of smartphone usage data and structural equation modeling to assess user behavior intention.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in average smartphone usage time was observed by the eighth week (t=3.47, p=0.001).
• The app achieved an average usability score of 3.61/5, with 58% positive responses.
• Effort and performance expectancies positively correlated with the intention to use the app.

Conclusions:

• The MindsCare app demonstrates a significant effect in reducing smartphone usage time.
• The app possesses good usability, indicating user acceptance and potential for widespread adoption.
• MindsCare offers a viable solution for individuals aiming to reduce problematic smartphone use.