Protocol outlines prevention package for problematic digital technology use across six Indian sites

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Frontiers in Medicine Published May 8, 2026 Medically reviewed May 8, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Note this protocol outlines prevention interventions for problematic digital technology use in youth.

This document is a multi-site study protocol detailing the development and validation of a comprehensive package of prevention-focused interventions. The scope covers children, adolescents, and young adults across six sites in India. The intervention aims to address problematic digital technology use through a structured prevention approach. No comparator group is reported for this protocol stage.

Secondary outcomes identified for evaluation include changes in knowledge, changes in skills, changes in confidence, changes in decision-making, feasibility, acceptability, engagement, delivery quality, and contextual factors. The protocol does not report a primary outcome or specific main results at this stage. Safety data regarding adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability are not reported.

The authors note that this is a protocol and do not infer results or assume causation. Funding or conflicts of interest are not reported. The practice relevance supports relevance for public health practice and policy. Limitations acknowledged include the absence of reported sample sizes and the early nature of the study design.

Study Details

Study typeGuideline

EvidenceLevel 5

PublishedMay 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

BackgroundProblematic use of digital technology among children, adolescents, and young adults is associated with adverse health, behavioural, interpersonal, social, academic and vocational outcomes. Most existing research focuses on treatment oriented interventions. Prevention focused interventions are limited. This is especially true for the low- and middle-income countries. There is a need for structured prevention approaches that involve youth, parents, and teachers.ObjectivesThis study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive package of prevention-focused interventions targeted at problematic use of digital technology among youth.MethodsThe study will be conducted across six sites in India. It will use a sequential mixed-methods design. Literature review, stakeholder interviews, and expert consensus shall be used for intervention development. This will be guided by established frameworks for complex interventions. Validation will be carried out using a quasi-experimental pre–post design. Quantitative measures will assess changes in knowledge, skills, confidence, and decision-making, as well as feasibility and acceptability. Qualitative methods will be used to assess engagement, delivery quality, and contextual factors.Expected outcomesThe study will lead to a modular prevention-focused intervention package with evidence of feasibility and acceptability. Findings will inform future larger scale implementation and evaluations.ConclusionThis protocol outlines a structured approach to development of a prevention-focused intervention targeted at problematic digital technology use among youth. The focus on prevention, stakeholder involvement, and real-world settings supports relevance for public health practice and policy.Clinical trial registrationhttps://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php, identifier CTRI2026/03/105278.