Delay discounting of smartphone use
This research aims to understand how people make decisions about smartphone use.
Study description
Delay discounting of smartphone use: Trait moderators and the effects of episodic future thinking
This research aims to understand how people make decisions about smartphone use and whether a short imagination exercise, called Episodic Future Thinking (EFT), can help reduce the tendency to choose 'phone-now' over 'phone-later.' The study also explores whether smartphone-specific decision tasks are better predictors of real-world phone use than money-based tasks.
Eligibility criteria
- Age 16 or over
- Own a smartphone (iOS or Android) with Screen Time or Digital Wellbeing enabled for at least the past seven days
For more information, please download the participant information
sheet and the study information poster.
To participate in the research, please complete the consent form.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please contact:
Student researcher
Krishnan Dass
kdas026@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Supervisor
Dr Sarah Cowie
School of Psychology, University of Auckland
Phone 373 7599 Ext 88540
sarah.cowie@auckland.ac.nz
Statement of ethics approval
Approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee (UAHPEC) on 3 November 2025 for three years. Reference Number UAHPEC30189.