The battle against screen time: a systematic review of hedonic information systems use reduction

Purpose

In the 21st century, excessive use of hedonic information systems (HIS) has become commonplace, making HIS use reduction a more viable option for many users than complete discontinuation. Even so, there is no systematic revision on this matter. This systematic literature review aims to examine previous studies on HIS use reduction, identify their limitations and point out future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

We adhered to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, ultimately analyzing 52 papers published between 2010 and 2024, with the majority disseminated after 2021.

Findings

The primary findings indicate a gradual shift from focusing on internet research to exploring social networking sites, with consistent attention on gaming and mobile device usage. Moreover, there is notable diversity in the theoretical foundations of scholarly research in this area as well as in the antecedents, consequences and control factors. Additionally, factors such as awareness, social norms, fatigue, privacy concerns and self-efficacy play the most significant roles in reducing the use of HIS. Finally, this article identifies gaps and opportunities in the field and employs science mapping to uncover the four predominant themes that form the basis of this research domain.

Originality/value

As far as we know, this article marks the inaugural comprehensive systematic review of current research on reducing HIS use, intending to make a dual impact. Initially, the authors meticulously outline HIS use reduction systematically and thoroughly, offering theoretical insights. Second, they delve into potential research areas and contributions concerning this phenomenon to address the gap in understanding the effects of reducing HIS usage on individuals.