PsychologyPNAS Nexus
Blocking mobile internet on smartphones improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well-being
N. Castelo, K. Kushlev, et al.
What happens when smartphones lose their ‘smart’ edge? In a month-long randomized trial, researchers blocked mobile internet on participants’ phones for two weeks—while allowing calls, texts, and desktop web access—and found improvements in mental health, subjective well-being, and sustained attention; 91% improved on at least one outcome as people spent more time socializing, exercising, and being in nature. Research conducted by Noah Castelo, Kostadin Kushlev, Adrian F. Ward, Michael Esterman, and Peter B. Reiner.
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