Problematic internet usage: can commitment and progress frameworks help regulate daily personal internet use?

ObjectiveProblem Internet Usage (PIU) is associated with numerous psychological concerns. The dynamics of self-regulation (DSR) model may provide a useful framework for psychological interventions with PIU, given previous research showing that the framework can be successfully applied to PIU behaviours.MethodThe authors conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of an internet-based intervention to reduce daily personal internet hours, and PIU severity, for university students who reported PIU issues. Assessments were undertaken at baseline, on each day of the 21-day intervention, and 6-week follow-up. Seventy-four participants completed the intervention and 38 completed follow-up assessments.ResultsThe experimental group reduced daily personal internet usage to a greater degree than the active control group at the end of the intervention. Findings also demonstrated a greater reduction in Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scores for the experimental group compared to the active control, with a third of participants in the experimental condition demonstrating clinically significant change in IAT scores.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the DSR framework may provide a promising approach to reducing PIU. What is already known about this topic: Problematic internet use has been viewed in various ways, including as an addiction or a problem of self-regulation.Interventions to reduce problematic internet use, including medication and cognitive-behavioural therapy, have shown limited success.The Dynamics of Self-Regulation Model has been shown to influence intended internet behaviours.What this topic adds: The Dynamics of Self-Regulation Model was applied to daily internet use in a randomised controlled trial.Daily personal internet usage reduced to a greater degree using an experimental intervention drawn from the Dynamics of Self-Regulation Model compared to an active control intervention of self-monitoring.Internet addiction scores also reduced using the experimental intervention drawn from the Dynamics of Self-Regulation Model compared to self-monitoring.