Digital Agency Tools: A Way to Buffer the Negative Effects of Excessive Phone Use?

In times of ubiquitous smartphone use, most users adopt one or more self-imposed rules regarding their device usage, also known as voluntary digital disconnection. Drawing on the Integrative Model of Mobile Media Use and Need Experiences (IM³UNE), this study provides empirical evidence on the adoption of digital agency tools and their potential in mitigating ill-being (depression, anxiety, and stress) associated with excessive smartphone use. We conducted a quota-based online survey involving n = 384 (M_age = 49.6) smartphone users in Flanders (Belgium). The results provide a systematization of different digital agency tools, showing they are widely used among adults. Importantly, we provide preliminary evidence on their potential in buffering ill-being due to excessive smartphone use. For users of detox apps and in-app well-being features, the associations between excessive use and ill-being were nonsignificant, unlike for nonusers of these tools. For users of default device settings, such as iOS ScreenTime, there were no differences. Our findings contribute to theory by applying and empirically testing critical elements of the IM³UNE model. Empirically, our findings indicate the importance of studying different types of tools, as they do not appear to be equally beneficial.