Beyond Screen Time: Exploring Smartwatch Interventions for Digital Well-Being

Abstract

In the digital age, technology permeates every aspect of our lives, offering connectivity but also posing risks to our well-being due to overuse. The concept of "digital detox" has emerged as a response, with smartphone apps supporting this process, yet the potential of wearable tech like smartwatches is less explored. Our study develops and tests a smartwatch-integrated digital detox aid, aiming to seamlessly blend with tech ecosystems offering a holistic solution. A preliminary mixed method user study (n=6) over two weeks assessed its efficacy in cutting down phone usage and app screen time, alongside monitoring phone interactions and physiological data. Initial results showed a decrease in screen time, which diminished in the second week, suggesting participant resistance and the intervention’s perceived intrusiveness. Despite proving the concept’s feasibility, the need for more user-aligned intervention methods and technical enhancements is clear, pointing to areas for future improvement.