A week without social media to improve attention

Effect of a Week-long Social Media Abstention on Sustained Attention Functions

Not applicable Interventional New York Institute of Technology · NCT06114017

This study is testing if taking a week off from social media can help young adults aged 18 to 30 improve their focus and overall well-being.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorNew York Institute of Technology Academic / other
Locations1 site (Old Westbury, New York)
Trial IDNCT06114017 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a one-week abstention from all forms of social media on attention and well-being in young adults aged 18 to 30. Fifty participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a social media abstention group or a control group. Participants will complete various assessments, including the Sustained Attention to Response Task and the Stroop test, before and after the intervention to measure changes in attention and executive function. The study will also gather subjective experiences regarding the impact of social media use on well-being.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 18-30 who regularly use social media for more than one hour a day.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use social media or have conditions like ADHD that affect attention may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how reducing social media use may enhance attention and overall mental well-being.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on social media's impact on attention are emerging, this specific approach of a week-long abstention is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-30 years old
* have and regularly use some form of social media
* use on average more than 1 hour of social media a day
* are willing to temporarily delete all social media for 1 week duration

Exclusion Criteria:

* no social media usage
* ADHD or other known conditions that affect attention and/or concentration
* current concussion

Where this trial is running

Old Westbury, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Attention Difficultiessocial mediaattentionwellbeing
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.