Background
Excessive use of smartphones and social media is increasingly seen as a threat to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. Research indicates that high screen time may lead to symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, poorer sleep quality, and reduced face-to-face social interaction.
Despite recommendations from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Danish Health Authority, screen time among Danish children remains high. Smartphones differ from other screens in that they are mobile, multifunctional, and deeply embedded in daily routines — making them an obvious target for interventions aimed at reducing screen use.
Children's digital habits are strongly influenced by their parents' screen behavior and the overall screen culture in the home. At the same time, many parents find it challenging to navigate everyday digital life, as apps and platforms are often designed to capture and hold users' attention. There is therefore a need for supportive tools that help both children and adults establish a more balanced use of smartphones.
One of the newer and promising strategies is the use of grayscale, which removes the colors from the smartphone display and thereby reduces its visual appeal. Grayscale has shown positive results among young adults, with reductions in daily screen time of up to 38 minutes. The solution is free and easily accessible to all smartphone users.
To date, however, no studies have examined the effect of grayscale in families with children aged 8–12. Smartphone Grayscale Impact will therefore be the first study to evaluate the effect and feasibility of the intervention in a family and real-life setting over an extended period.
Objective
The aim of the research project Smartphone Grayscale Impact is to investigate whether a two-month grayscale intervention on smartphones can reduce screen time and improve well-being and sleep quality in children aged 8–12 and their parents/guardians.
Method
In Smartphone Grayscale Impact, a digital behavioral intervention is tested, in which participants' smartphones are set to grayscale for two months. The purpose is to examine feasibility, usability, and preliminary effectiveness. The project is divided into the following three sub-studies:
- The first sub-study will assess the feasibility and usability of the grayscale intervention in everyday life through weekly online surveys and qualitative interviews with children and parents.
- The second sub-study will examine the preliminary effect of the intervention on key parameters such as screen time, self-reported well-being, and sleep quality.
- The third sub-study will evaluate the study design, including recruitment, data collection, and overall methodological approach. The study uses a two-arm step-wedge design, in which all participants receive the intervention during the project period.
Timeline
The research project will run from August 2025 to July 2026.
Funding
The project is funded by TrygFonden with DKK 994,004.
Publication from the project
Gejl, E., & Bølling, M. (2025). Kan vi tæmme skærmenes tiltrækningskraft? Børn i fysioterapi, 1, 8-11.
Contact person
Mads Bølling, mads.boelling@regionh.dk