To what extent does applying limits to social media applications on smartphones decrease sedentary behaviour in university students?

Abstract

Smartphones, television and computers play an integral role in the world today. As a results of screen based usage people are in danger of spending longer amounts of time in sedentary positions. Guthald et al (2018) found that from 2010 to 2016 that the levels of physical inactivity globally has risen from 23.3% to just over 25% and linked this increase to increased screen based usage. Of all online time, 30% is spent on social media, with the average person spending 2 hours and 20 minutes per day browsing social platforms (Medium 2019). This has increased more than 50% since 2012. Furthermore there are a number of studies which support the link between screen based time and sedentary behaviour. The literature also shows that both have detrimental impacts on health if spending prolonged periods of time engaging in them. Physical activity has the ability to combat these health issues and has been proven to work as an intervention to sedentary behaviour. There is not currently any research looking into whether limiting social media can positively impact sedentary behaviour. This research proposal will explain how to carry out a study which will do just that. Participants will have their social media usage tracked on their mobile phones before a one week intervention is applied. This will limit their time allowed on applications of social by 25%. Step count and exercise habits will be tracked whilst the week before and the week of the intervention to determine whether the participant’s sedentary time is affected.