Social media diet to reduce loneliness, FoMO, and improve sleep in university students
Official title: The Effect of a Social Media Diet on Loneliness, Fear of Missing Out, and Sleep Quality Among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Gümüşhane Universıty · NCT07473791 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether a 4-week social media diet can reduce loneliness and fear of missing out (FoMO) and improve sleep quality in university students who use social media at least 2 hours per day.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 17 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Gümüşhane Universıty Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gümüşhane, Gümüşhane Province) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 10, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 2026 |
| Study ends | August 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 3, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07473791 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Gumushane University students aged 18–25 who own a smartphone and routinely use social media for at least two hours per day.
✕Probably not a fit
Students with diagnosed clinical sleep or psychiatric disorders, those using prescribed sleep medication, or those unable to limit or document their screen time are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized controlled trial enrolling university students aged 18–25 who report at least 2 hours of daily social media use. Participants are randomly assigned to a social media diet intervention that limits daily social media use for four weeks or to continue their usual use. Loneliness, FoMO, and sleep quality are measured at baseline and after the intervention using validated self-report scales and weekly smartphone screen-time screenshots verify adherence. The trial is conducted at Gümüşhane University and excludes participants with diagnosed sleep or psychiatric disorders or those using other digital detox tools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could lower feelings of loneliness and FoMO and improve sleep quality for students who reduce their social media use.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small randomized and observational studies have reported modest improvements in well-being and sleep with reduced social media use, but the overall evidence remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being between the ages of 18-25. * Being a student at Gumushane University Kelkit Sema Dogan Vocational School of Health Services. * Having a daily social media usage time of at least 2 hours (verified by smartphone screen time settings). * Owning a smartphone (Android or iOS). * Volunteering to participate in the study and providing written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a diagnosed clinical sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic insomnia) or using prescribed sleep medication. * Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that may interfere with social media use or perception of loneliness. * Use of other digital detox or time-management applications during the study period. * Being unable to provide weekly screen time screenshots. * Planning to change smartphone device during the 4-week intervention period.
Where it's running
-
Gümüşhane University
Gümüşhane, Gümüşhane Province, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Hatun Erkuran, Asst. Prof.Dr.
- Email: htn_erkran@hotmail.com
- Phone: +905424262879
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.