PROBTEC Program to Manage Problematic Technology Use in Adolescents

Overview

Excessive engagement with digital devices among adolescents has become a significant public health concern, contributing to reduced physical activity and associated health risks. This study assessed the impact of the PROBTEC Management Program-an intervention structured around the Health Promotion Model-on technology-related behaviors and activity levels in adolescents. A randomized controlled trial was implemented in 10 public middle schools in Türkiye with a total sample of 200 students aged 14-15 years. Schools were allocated to either the intervention or control condition using cluster randomization. The intervention spanned six weeks and combined health education sessions, guided physical activity practices, and parent-focused components. Measures were obtained at four time points (baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months) using validated questionnaires, pedometer-based step counts, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures statistical techniques and standardized effect size calculations. Participants receiving the PROBTEC intervention demonstrated notable improvements over time. Compared with controls, the intervention group exhibited reduced indicators of problematic technology engagement and perceived exercise barriers, alongside increases in perceived exercise benefits, physical activity self-efficacy, and total MET scores. Findings indicate that the PROBTEC Management Program supports positive behavioral changes by reducing unhealthy technology use and encouraging more active lifestyles among adolescents. The sustained effects observed across the 6-month follow-up period suggest that this school-based, theory-driven model may be a practical and scalable strategy for adolescent health promotion

Problematic technology use has increasingly been recognized as a major behavioral health issue among adolescents, contributing to prolonged sedentary behavior, reduced physical activity, and related negative health outcomes. Although many school-based initiatives address lifestyle or digital well-being independently, few interventions incorporate a comprehensive, theory-guided framework. The PROBTEC Management Program was developed to address this gap by integrating principles from the Health Promotion Model (HPM) to promote healthier technology habits and increase physical activity levels among young people. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the program's effectiveness in a real-world school setting. Ten public middle schools in Türkiye participated in the study, with cluster randomization used to assign schools to either the intervention or control condition. A total of 200 adolescents aged 14-15 years were included. The intervention consisted of a structured six-week curriculum delivered by trained facilitators and included three core components: (1) health education sessions designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with excessive technology use, (2) guided physical activity practices that encouraged students to incorporate movement into their daily routines, and (3) a parental engagement component aimed at strengthening family support for healthy behaviors. Outcome measurements were collected at four time points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention at 1 week (T1), 3 months post-intervention (T2), and 6 months post-intervention (T3). Technology-related behaviors, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and physical activity self-efficacy were assessed using validated instruments. Physical activity levels were evaluated using pedometer-based step counts and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Repeated measures statistical analyses were used to examine changes over time, and effect sizes were calculated to estimate the magnitude of intervention effects. Adolescents who participated in the PROBTEC program showed significant positive changes across all primary outcomes when compared with their peers in the control schools. Reductions in technology addiction scores and perceived exercise barriers were accompanied by increases in perceived benefits of physical activity, self-efficacy for being active, and total MET values. These improvements were evident not only immediately after the intervention but were also maintained throughout the 6-month follow-up period, demonstrating the sustained impact of the program. Overall, this trial provides evidence that a structured, theory-based, and school-centered intervention can effectively support adolescents in managing digital behaviors while simultaneously promoting physical activity. The PROBTEC Management Program offers a feasible, low-cost, and scalable model that can be integrated into broader school health services. Its combined focus on educational, behavioral, and family-based strategies positions it as a promising approach for addressing the intertwined challenges of technology overuse and physical inactivity in youth populations.