Beyond the Buzz: Investigating the Effects of a Notification-Disabling Intervention on Smartphone Behavior and Digital Well-Being

Abstract

Turning off push notifications is a common recommendation to reduce smartphone screen time and to improve daily experiences of digital well-being. As only little empirical evidence exists, this study aims to test the effectiveness of this strategy. Based on a preregistered randomized controlled trial (N = 205), including objectively logged smartphone behavior data and daily mobile diary assessments of subjective experiences, we found that a one-week notification-disabling intervention did not affect smartphone behavior (i.e. checking frequency and screen time). This pattern was not dependent on people’s trait fear of missing out. In addition, we found no effects on perceived control, overuse, smartphone vigilance, productivity, and smartphone-related distraction. The intervention did, however, result in a decrease in perceived checking habit strength, indicating that users experienced their smartphone use to be more intentional. The absence of notifications also led to increased fear of missing out, suggesting that disabling notifications results in drawbacks rather than improvements in digital well-being. Together, these findings challenge the assumption that notifications play a prominent role in driving smartphone use and influencing user experiences. Findings are discussed in light of the complex interplay between device features and digital well-being.