Two-minute cartoons take aim at smartphone addiction
NCT ID NCT06979856
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This Stanford study tested whether watching short animated videos (about 2 minutes each) could make people more aware of the risks of smartphone overuse and reduce their addiction. Over 6,000 US adults who own a smartphone took part online. Researchers measured their smartphone addiction and attachment to their phones right after watching, then again at two and four weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- short animated storytelling videos
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to help people reduce smartphone overuse.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed online trial with self-reported outcomes, so real-world behavior change may be limited. The effect may fade over time or not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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6,000 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 30 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * English Speaking * Own a Smartphone * Live in the US Exclusion Criteria: * None
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94305, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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