Conflict between two selves: Mobile temptation and self-control through precommitment

This study investigates the effectiveness of diverse precommitment mechanisms as self-control measures against mobile temptation, which refers to an uncontrollable desire and craving to consume mobile applications. These precommitment systems are made available by app blocking options that are downloadable on smartphones at user discretion to restrict access to apps. On the basis of Thaler and Shefrin's (1981) self-control framework, we identify and evaluate rule-based (spatial and temporal) and incentive-driven (social- and reinforcement-based) precommitment schemes. Mixed results are found with respect to the effectiveness of rule-driven precommitment schemes: Rigid temporal precommitment effectively facilitates sustained self-control and motivates users to increase block time, but contrary to expectations, the less stringent flexible spatial precommitment outperforms rigid spatial precommitment. The findings also suggest that both social- and reinforcement-based methods successfully advance sustainable command over oneself and therefore aid users in increasing voluntarily implemented block time.