Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to see if a digital intervention called PRISM could change how people view social media. The study focused on 162 college students who already reported negative self-evaluations related to their social media use.
The results showed that the PRISM session led to greater reductions in negative interpretation bias, both online and offline, compared to a control group. It also helped increase positive interpretation bias. This effect was seen during the intervention and at a two-week follow-up.
However, the intervention was largely ineffective at changing other important outcomes. The study did not find significant changes in symptoms of anxiety or depression. This means that while the way people interpret posts changed, their overall mental health symptoms did not shift.
Readers should view these findings as an early sign of how digital tools might help change thought patterns. Because the study did not show changes in anxiety or depression, more research is needed to see if these changes in interpretation can eventually lead to better clinical outcomes.