Feeling guilty about rest? this study tests a CBT fix for social media overuse

NCT ID NCT07284160

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a structured cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program can reduce social media addiction by targeting 'rest shame'—the guilt people feel when taking breaks. Researchers will randomly assign 120 university students aged 18-25 to receive the CBT intervention or not, and measure changes in social media addiction and rest intolerance. The goal is to see if addressing rest shame can help people use social media less compulsively.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple psychological strategy to help people cut down on social media use.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 120 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It also relies on self-reported data, which can be unreliable.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine

    Yiwu, Zhejiang, 322000, China