Digital Technology UseNCT07344142
Improving Digital Wellbeing in Saudi Adolescents
A study testing Digital Wellbeing Unit, Parent WhatsApp Groups and Online Teacher Training in people with Digital Technology Use and Social Media Addiction, run by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
Trial summary
Background: In Saudi Arabia, the rapid expansion of digital technology use-particularly among adolescents-has raised growing concerns about internet addiction and its impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Digital Technology Use, Social Media Addiction, Internet Gaming Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Digital Wellbeing Unit, Parent WhatsApp Groups and Online Teacher Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,600 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSaudi Arabia
- Study dates
- 25 Jan 2026to 18 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- The study will include students enrolled in Grade 12 at participating high schools that are randomly assigned to one of the study arms.
- In addition, parents or legal guardians of these students will be eligible to participate in the parent-focused component of the intervention if the student is assigned to the enhanced curriculum group.
Who cannot join
- Students and parents will be excluded from the study if the students and parents do not provide assent or consent to participate, in accordance with ethical guidelines.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Improving Digital Wellbeing in Saudi Adolescents: Cluster-randomized Trial
Background: In Saudi Arabia, the rapid expansion of digital technology use-particularly among adolescents-has raised growing concerns about internet addiction and its impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. Building on formative work including national surveys, stakeholder interviews, and pilot testing, there is now a pressing need to rigorously evaluate interventions that can promote healthy digital habits among youth.
Study aims/objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based digital wellbeing intervention, with and without a supplemental parent engagement component, using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The primary objective is to determine whether exposure to the student curriculum alone or in combination with a parent-focused intervention improves digital literacy, technology use behaviors, and psychosocial wellbeing among high school students. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in parent-child communication and parental attitudes toward digital media use.
Read more
Methods: Twenty (20) high schools across Qassim and Riyadh regions in Saudi Arabia will be randomly assigned to one of two study arms: (1) treatment as usual (TAU) will receive the Ministry of Education (MOE) Digital Wellbeing Unit that is implemented in 12th grad as part of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum and a brief self-paced online teacher training, or (2) enhanced treatment including the MOE Digital Wellbeing Unit plus a WhatsApp-based intervention for parents and a brief self-paced online teacher training. Approximately 125 students per school (~2,500 total) will complete surveys before and after the intervention period, assessing digital media habits, wellbeing, and communication patterns. Parent surveys will be administered in the enhanced arm to assess intervention engagement and parenting practices. Surveys with teachers will assess motivation and self-efficacy in delivering the digital wellbeing unit and fidelity of delivery.
Results: The study will generate evidence on the efficacy of school- and family-based strategies for improving adolescent digital wellbeing in the Saudi context. It will also provide insight into mechanisms of change, including the role of parental involvement in shaping adolescent digital habits.
Conclusion: Findings from this cluster randomized trial will inform national digital wellbeing policy and practice, offering a scalable model for youth-targeted behavioral health interventions in Saudi Arabia and similar settings.
- Being tested
- Digital Wellbeing Unit, Parent WhatsApp Groups, Online Teacher Training
- Medical subject headings
- Internet Addiction Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digital Wellbeing UnitBehavioural
(1) The student component utilizes the existing Digital Wellbeing Unit embedded within the national Digital Citizenship Curriculum, as implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Education. This curriculum is delivered by classroom teachers over the course of approximately one month, typically as part of standard instruction during the academic term. The content focuses on responsible digital media use, online safety, screen time awareness, and strategies for achieving digital balance. All instructional materials and delivery methods align with Ministry guidelines and are integrated into the regular school schedule.
Parent WhatsApp GroupsBehavioural
(2) The parental component, developed by the research team, is included in the enhanced intervention arm. It consists of structured engagement through WhatsApp groups formed with parents of students enrolled in the intervention schools. Parents in this group will receive daily messages for the duration of the curriculum delivery (approximately 4 weeks). These messages will include infographics, short expert video lectures, and brief videos designed to reinforce the concepts taught in the student curriculum. Content will focus on promoting healthy digital habits, improving communication between parents and children about technology use, and modeling appropriate digital behaviors at home.
Online Teacher TrainingBehavioural
(3) Teachers in both arms will complete a brief self-paced online training (~45 minutes total) prior to delivering the Digital Wellbeing Unit. The training introduces key digital wellbeing concepts, provides implementation guidance aligned with the Ministry of Education curriculum, and includes resources to support classroom delivery. Completion will be monitored to ensure fidelity across schools.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment as usual | Active comparator | (1) treatment as usual (TAU) will receive the Ministry of Education (MOE) Digital Wellbeing Unit that is implemented in 12th grade as part of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum and a brief self-paced online teacher training Receives: Behavioral: Digital Wellbeing Unit; Behavioral: Online Teacher Training |
| Enhanced treatment | Experimental | (2) enhanced treatment including the MOE Digital Wellbeing Unit plus a WhatsApp-based intervention for parents and a brief self-paced online teacher training. Receives: Behavioral: Digital Wellbeing Unit; Behavioral: Parent WhatsApp Groups; Behavioral: Online Teacher Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Weekday leisure screen-time hours assessed by survey
Weekday (screen time for leisure)
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Secondary outcomes (14)
Social Media Disorder Scale
Social Media Disorder Scale: Score range from 9-45 with higher scores indicating higher degree of Social Media Disorder
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-ShortForm (IGDS9-SF)
Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-ShortForm (IGDS9-SF): Score range from 9-45 with higher scores indicating higher degree of Internet Gaming Disorder
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital wellbeing knowledge 1 assessed by survey
Knowledge regarding digital wellbeing topics covered in the curriculum; items were developed by the research team: Score range from 0-10 with higher scores indicating more digital wellbeing knowledge
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being knowledge 2 assessed by survey
Knowledge regarding digital wellbeing topics covered in the curriculum; items were developed by the research team: Score range from 3-15 with higher scores indicating more digital wellbeing knowledge
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being attitudes assessed by survey
Attitudes regarding digital wellbeing topics covered in the curriculum; items were developed by the research team: Score range from 5-25 with higher scores indicating more favorable attitudes toward digital balance and healthy technology use
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being self-efficacy assessed by survey
Self-efficacy regarding digital wellbeing topics covered in the curriculum; items were developed by the research team: Score range from 5-25 with higher scores indicating stronger digital wellbeing self-efficacy
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 1 assessed by survey: notification-checking frequency
Self-reported changes in digital media habits or wellbeing practices as a result of the intervention; items were developed by the research team: This item captures unnecessary notification-checking frequency with score range 1-5 and higher scores indicating worse digital wellbeing behavior.
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 2 assessed by survey: device use before sleep
Self-reported changes in digital media habits or wellbeing practices as a result of the intervention; items were developed by the research team: This item captures avoiding device use before sleep with score range 1-5 and higher scores indicating better digital wellbeing behavior.
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 3 assessed by survey: engagement in non-digital activities
Self-reported changes in digital media habits or wellbeing practices as a result of the intervention; items were developed by the research team: This item captures engagement in non-digital activities with score range 1-5 and higher scores indicating better digital wellbeing behavior.
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 4 assessed by survey: use of apps or tools to monitor and manage digital habits
Self-reported changes in digital media habits or wellbeing practices as a result of the intervention; items were developed by the research team: This item captures use of apps or tools to monitor and manage digital habits with score range 1-5 and higher scores indicating better digital wellbeing behavior.
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Number of participants who upload phone screen shots of Screentime app
The investigators will explore feasibility of collecting objective data from students including screenshots of Screentime app
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekend leisure screen-time hours assessed by survey
Weekend day (screen time for leisure)
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekday work/study screen-time hours assessed by survey
Weekday (screen time for work/study)
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekend work/study screen-time hours assessed by survey
Weekend day (screen time for work/study)
Measured: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jan 2026
- Study start25 Jan 2026
- Primary completion18 Jun 2026
- Study completion18 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Digital Technology UseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 2,600 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Aramco Services Company
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Johannes Thrul, Principal investigator, Johns Hopkins University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07344142
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB00023832
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Data will be shared upon reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Improving Digital Wellbeing in Saudi Adolescents: Cluster-randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07344142
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB00023832
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 2,600 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Aramco Services Company
- Study start
- 25 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Background: In Saudi Arabia, the rapid expansion of digital technology use-particularly among adolescents-has raised growing concerns about internet addiction and its impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. Building on formative work including national surveys, stakeholder interviews, and pilot testing, there is now a pressing need to rigorously evaluate interventions that can promote healthy digital habits among youth.
Study aims/objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based digital wellbeing intervention, with and without a supplemental parent engagement component, using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The primary objective is to determine whether exposure to the student curriculum alone or in combination with a parent-focused intervention improves digital literacy, technology use behaviors, and psychosocial wellbeing among high school students. Secondary objectives include assessing changes in parent-child communication and parental attitudes toward digital media use.
Methods: Twenty (20) high schools across Qassim and Riyadh regions in Saudi Arabia will be randomly assigned to one of two study arms: (1) treatment as usual (TAU) will receive the Ministry of Education (MOE) Digital Wellbeing Unit that is implemented in 12th grad as part of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum and a brief self-paced online teacher training, or (2) enhanced treatment including the MOE Digital Wellbeing Unit plus a WhatsApp-based intervention for parents and a brief self-paced online teacher training. Approximately 125 students per school (~2,500 total) will complete surveys before and after the intervention period, assessing digital media habits, wellbeing, and communication patterns. Parent surveys will be administered in the enhanced arm to assess intervention engagement and parenting practices. Surveys with teachers will assess motivation and self-efficacy in delivering the digital wellbeing unit and fidelity of delivery.
Results: The study will generate evidence on the efficacy of school- and family-based strategies for improving adolescent digital wellbeing in the Saudi context. It will also provide insight into mechanisms of change, including the role of parental involvement in shaping adolescent digital habits.
Conclusion: Findings from this cluster randomized trial will inform national digital wellbeing policy and practice, offering a scalable model for youth-targeted behavioral health interventions in Saudi Arabia and similar settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment as usual | Active comparator | Behavioral: Digital Wellbeing Unit, Behavioral: Online Teacher Training(1) treatment as usual (TAU) will receive the Ministry of Education (MOE) Digital Wellbeing Unit that is implemented in 12th grade as part of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum and a brief self-paced online teacher training |
| Enhanced treatment | Experimental | Behavioral: Digital Wellbeing Unit, Behavioral: Parent WhatsApp Groups, Behavioral: Online Teacher Training(2) enhanced treatment including the MOE Digital Wellbeing Unit plus a WhatsApp-based intervention for parents and a brief self-paced online teacher training. |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- The study will include students enrolled in Grade 12 at participating high schools that are randomly assigned to one of the study arms.
- In addition, parents or legal guardians of these students will be eligible to participate in the parent-focused component of the intervention if the student is assigned to the enhanced curriculum group.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Students and parents will be excluded from the study if the students and parents do not provide assent or consent to participate, in accordance with ethical guidelines.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Wellbeing Unit(1) The student component utilizes the existing Digital Wellbeing Unit embedded within the national Digital Citizenship Curriculum, as implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Education. This curriculum is delivered by classroom teachers over the course of approximately one month, typically as part of standard instruction during the academic term. The content focuses on responsible digital media use, online safety, screen time awareness, and strategies for achieving digital balance. All instructional materials and delivery methods align with Ministry guidelines and are integrated into the regular school schedule. | Behavioural | Enhanced treatment, Treatment as usual |
| Parent WhatsApp Groups(2) The parental component, developed by the research team, is included in the enhanced intervention arm. It consists of structured engagement through WhatsApp groups formed with parents of students enrolled in the intervention schools. Parents in this group will receive daily messages for the duration of the curriculum delivery (approximately 4 weeks). These messages will include infographics, short expert video lectures, and brief videos designed to reinforce the concepts taught in the student curriculum. Content will focus on promoting healthy digital habits, improving communication between parents and children about technology use, and modeling appropriate digital behaviors at home. | Behavioural | Enhanced treatment |
| Online Teacher Training(3) Teachers in both arms will complete a brief self-paced online training (~45 minutes total) prior to delivering the Digital Wellbeing Unit. The training introduces key digital wellbeing concepts, provides implementation guidance aligned with the Ministry of Education curriculum, and includes resources to support classroom delivery. Completion will be monitored to ensure fidelity across schools. | Behavioural | Enhanced treatment, Treatment as usual |
Primary outcome
Weekday leisure screen-time hours assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekday (screen time for leisure)
14 secondary outcomes
Social Media Disorder Scale
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-ShortForm (IGDS9-SF)
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital wellbeing knowledge 1 assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being knowledge 2 assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being attitudes assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being self-efficacy assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 1 assessed by survey: notification-checking frequency
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 2 assessed by survey: device use before sleep
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 3 assessed by survey: engagement in non-digital activities
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Digital well-being behavior change 4 assessed by survey: use of apps or tools to monitor and manage digital habits
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Number of participants who upload phone screen shots of Screentime app
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekend leisure screen-time hours assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekday work/study screen-time hours assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Weekend work/study screen-time hours assessed by survey
Time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Data will be shared upon reasonable request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Johannes Thrul principal investigator
Johns Hopkins University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital Wellbeing Unit, Parent WhatsApp Groups and Online Teacher Training in people with Digital Technology Use and Social Media Addiction, run by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Saudi Arabia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Weekday leisure screen-time hours assessed by survey (time frame: Baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention (1 month)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Jun 2026.