Screen Free Time With Friends: a Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial

During the past fifteen years, children's leisure time spent interacting with friends in person has decreased, while the time they spend engaging with digital screens has increased. These changes in behavior can potentially have adverse effects on both their physical and mental wellbeing.

This cluster-randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate an intervention aiming to increase face-to-face interaction with peers and reduce screen media use in 3rd - 4th grade-children. The study is built upon experiences gained from a recently conducted non-randomized single group feasibility trial. The feasibility trial aimed to 1) examine the feasibility of the intervention 2) examine participant recruitment and retention rates, 3) examine the feasibility of the data collection plan and completeness of the compliance and outcome assessment, and 4) obtain baseline and follow-up data on the planned full trial primary outcome.

To recruit schools and afterschool clubs for the RCT, schools will be contacted directly by a member of the research team or via the municipality. Schools and their belonging afterschool clubs are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

1. the school must have an afterschool or youth club (or similar) within walking distance,
2. the afterschool club's leader and staff must be willing to develop the club by participating in a training course.

After the baseline measurements the schools and afterschool clubs will be randomized into an intervention and control group. The Screen Free Time with Friends intervention is targeted children in 3rd to 4th grade and their families, school- and afterschool club staff, as well as stakeholders in the local community. It comprises an initial gathering for all stakeholders, family workshops held at the school, an exercise during a parent-school meeting, lectures conducted during school hours, a training program for afterschool club staff, and workshops involving local stakeholders.