From Awareness to Action: Evaluating a Behavior Change Intervention for Problematic Social Media Use Among Adolescents

Adolescents are spending increasing amounts of time on social networking sites (SNS), raising concerns about problematic and addictive patterns of use. This study evaluated a digitally delivered behavior change program aimed at reducing excessive SNS engagement. Using a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design, 260 adolescents (130 intervention, 130 control) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Adolescents in the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in problematic SNS use over time compared to controls. Those who actively implemented behavior change strategies showed the greatest improvements. Findings suggest that moving adolescents from awareness to concrete action is central to reducing problematic SNS use.