Informatics in Behavioral Medicine: Possible Implementations in User-Device Interaction

Tobey Gross
DOI:10.30954/2348-7437.1.2025.3

Abstract:

Smartphones have become deeply integrated into daily life, offering constant connectivity, convenience,

and access to information. However, alongside these benefits, a growing body of research points to harmful

effects associated with excessive and compulsive use. Physical issues such as musculoskeletal strain and

eye fatigue, along with psychological concerns like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and attention

problems, are becoming increasingly linked to problematic smartphone behavior. The severity of the

issue is now such that clinical tools like the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) have been developed

to assess the condition, underscoring its recognition as a legitimate public health concern. Traditional

interventions-ranging from digital wellness apps to screen time limits, have shown only limited success,

often falling short due to lack of personalization, low adherence, and the general tendency to bypass them

after implementation. This paper proposes two informatics-driven strategies designed to interrupt habitual

device use in subtle, non-intrusive ways: Delayed Response Input, which introduces brief feedback delays

to disrupt the instant-reward loop, and Memory Recall Interruption, which asks users to reflect on their

intentions before proceeding. Both interventions aim to slow down impulsive interaction patterns, increase

user awareness, and ultimately reduce mindless screen time.