Introduction. There is a lack of evidence-based interventions targeting adolescents problematic photo self-disclosure on social networking sites (SNS). Given the success of the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) in reducing adolescent risk behaviors, a mobile app, Safe-Photo-Share (SPS), was developed. The aim of this presentation is to present the importance of individual and family level factors related to the long-term effectiveness of the SPS app.
Methods. A randomized experimental study design was used, with pre-, post-, and follow-up evaluations integrated into the app. Study participants had to be aged 15-16 years and had to be sharing at least one problematic photo online in the past week. All elements of PWM as well as number and frequency of sharing problematic photos were measured three times (at the initial survey, in one and in three months). Two individual (narcissism and self-control) and two family level (perceived interparental conflicts and perceived parental mediation (active and restrictive) factors were measured in the initial survey. 154 adolescents (51.1%) in the experimental group started using SPS. At post-intervention, dropout rates were 64.3% in the experimental group (n = 54) and 70.6% (n = 88) in the control group. Follow-up retention was 12% in the experimental group (n = 36) and 16% in the control group (n = 48).
Results. Controlling for baseline scores, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the number of problematic photo shares, subjective norms, attitudes, and willingness. Effect sizes indicated medium impacts across these outcomes. Different individual and family level factors were related to higher positive change of different PWM elements and number of shared photos.
Conclusion. The SPS app demonstrated medium, long-term effects on key PWM constructs, supporting its potential as a digital intervention to reduce problematic photo self-disclosure among adolescents on SNS, including various individual and family level factors contributing to this change.