Programme
3 weeks
About the study
A structured digital detox programme for student wellbeing
This study will assess whether a structured digital detox programme can improve nomophobia, perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep quality among college students in a higher educational institute.
Setting
SRM IST
Purpose
Smartphones are woven into student life. For some, constant connectivity brings anxiety when they are unable to check their phone. Researchers call this pattern nomophobia. This study uses a mixed-method, non-randomized control-group pre-test/post-test design to evaluate a three-week programme for healthier digital habits, psychological wellbeing, and sleep.
The programme promotes healthy, balanced use, not complete avoidance of smartphones.
What participation involves
- Confirm eligibility and provide informed consent before enrolment.
- Complete demographic and smartphone-use questions, including open-ended reflections.
- Complete the NMP-Q, PSS-10, GAD-7, and PSQI self-report measures before and after the study period.
- Follow the study pathway assigned under the research protocol; the study group receives the three-week programme while the control group continues routine activities.
- Study-group participants complete a satisfaction and acceptability questionnaire after the programme.
Programme outline
Three weeks, one practical focus at a time
Week 1
Awareness & goals
Review digital habits, complete a baseline use audit, and set practical goals.
Week 2
Digital hygiene
Manage notifications and introduce planned phone-free time blocks.
Week 3
Calm, rest & maintain
Practise breathing and mindfulness, build healthier coping alternatives, reduce bedtime screen use, and plan for maintaining progress.
Voluntary participation
Participation is voluntary and informed consent will be obtained before enrolment. The study involves no drugs or invasive procedures. Formal institutional permission and ethics clearance will be obtained before recruitment begins.