What the study found
The Ulysses Donation Pledge, a low-friction digital self-control tool that lets users pledge donations for exceeding self-set screen time limits, reduced smartphone use in this pilot study. It also increased donations and raised satisfaction compared with baseline.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest the approach may support digital well-being while better preserving user autonomy and self-regulation than more restrictive tools. They also say the findings call for further investigation of low-friction interventions as ways to empower users.
What the researchers tested
The researchers tested the Ulysses Donation Pledge over three weeks in a mixed experimental design with 45 participants. The intervention asked users to set their own smartphone screen time limits and pledge charity donations if they went over those limits.
What worked and what didn't
UDP significantly reduced smartphone usage compared with simple screen time restriction and control. It also produced a substantial increase in donations, and satisfaction increased significantly compared with baseline. The abstract does not report which parts did not work beyond noting that more restrictive tools are often abandoned.
What to keep in mind
This was a pilot study with a small sample and a three-week period, so the abstract does not establish long-term effects. The summary does not describe other limitations beyond the scope of the study.
Key points
- The Ulysses Donation Pledge links smartphone overuse to donations to charity.
- In a three-week pilot study with 45 participants, it significantly reduced smartphone use.
- It led to a substantial increase in donations compared with restriction and control.
- User satisfaction increased significantly compared with baseline.
- The authors say the approach may preserve autonomy better than more restrictive digital self-control tools.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Donation pledge reduced smartphone use and increased donations
- Authors:
- Mats Strömberg, Maxi Heitmayer
- Institutions:
- London School of Economics and Political Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Rowan University
- Publication date:
- 2026-06-27
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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