Impact of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation on Social Media Addiction

This study investigates whether non-invasive neuromodulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce craving and problematic social media/internet use in university students. The rationale for the study is that excessive and compulsive social media use has been associated with negative mental health outcomes, and behavioral addictions may share neurobiological features with substance addictions, including reward-circuit involvement and reduced inhibitory control. Because tDCS can modulate cortical excitability, often targeting prefrontal areas involved in executive control, this project evaluates whether repeated tDCS sessions can help reduce craving and improve digital self-regulation in individuals with moderate-to-severe problematic use.

Study design and setting The study uses an experimental, double-blind design to strengthen internal validity by reducing expectation and observer bias. Recruitment and data collection will be carried out with university students from the Greater Lisbon area, and study activities will take place in a controlled setting with supervision by the research team. The study is planned as a quantitative, applied primary research project.

Participants and eligibility criteria The sample will be non-probabilistic and recruited by convenience among university students in the Greater Lisbon area. Eligible participants must be 18 years of age or older, available for all study phases, and score 31 or higher on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), indicating moderate-to-severe dependence.

Participants will be excluded if they have had recent psychopharmacological changes (use or dose change within the last 3 months), a history of dizziness or seizures, a current need for hospitalization or psychotherapy, or diagnoses such as depressive, anxiety, or bipolar disorders with recent symptoms, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or autism spectrum disorder. Additional exclusions include contraindications to tDCS, such as pregnancy, metallic implants, tumors, prior brain surgery, or significant anatomical brain changes.

Recruitment and informed consent Recruitment will occur through in-person informational sessions, where study objectives will be presented and a QR code will be provided for enrollment. Outreach will also be supported through social media and flyers in institutions in the Greater Lisbon area. Interested individuals will provide informed consent and complete an initial sociodemographic questionnaire and the IAT as part of screening/baseline assessment.