Reducing social media use via contingency management: A replication and extension

Public health concerns about social media use (SMU) have generated interest in the development of interventions capable of reducing SMU. In this study, we replicated and extended Stinson and Dallery (2023) by evaluating the effects of a contingency management with alternative activity selection intervention on SMU and engagement in alternative activities with four college students. Results from the current study replicate the findings of Stinson and Dallery. Reductions in SMU were observed, but no discernable influence on engagement in alternative activities occurred during the intervention phase. We extended prior work by objectively measuring participant engagement in alternative activities and measuring participant SMU using data collection procedures that potentially improve the accuracy and reliability of SMU measurement. Limitations of the current study and directions for future research are discussed including the maintenance and generality of contingency management interventions for SMU and considerations for large-scale implementation.