True colors: Grayscale setting reduces screen time in college students

Excessive smartphone use has been related to numerous negative outcomes including anxiety, depression, sleep deficits, and lower life satisfaction. Though empirical works have made these associations, prior works have not addressed how to make phones less appealing and reduce screen time. One hundred sixty-one undergraduate students participated in a longitudinal study of smartphone use. Seventy-three had their phones changed to grayscale for eight to 10 days to evaluate if the absence of bright and saturated colors reduces screen time and negative affectivity. Participants who had their phones in grayscale spent significantly less time on social media and internet browsing compared to Time 1, though it appears grayscale did not influence video screen time. In addition, total screen time was significantly less for these individuals by an average of 37.90 min each day. The influence of grayscale did not account for improvement in anxiety or depression symptomology as both control and experimental groups improved compared to Time 1. It appears changing to grayscale makes smartphones less gratifying and can assist individuals in controlling their smartphone use. Suggestions and implications for future research are outlined.