Current Study — HE040648
Got ADHD and a smartphone?
Let's talk about screen time. We are looking for participants to share their stories.
What is the aim?
Exploring how people with ADHD navigate their online and offline lives.
Not everyone experiences the internet the same way. This project digs into the strategies used by people with ADHD when connecting and disconnecting from screens — and how that shapes their sense of time, productivity, and relationships. We want to understand how you relate your ADHD to technology and disconnection.
This is a Marsden Fast Start research project led by Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka. The research draws on disability studies to challenge ableist assumptions about what "healthy" screen time looks like.
How can you help?
Story Completion Study
You'll complete a series of story prompts — responses must be at least 1,000 words. You'll receive a $30 gift card on completion.
01
Demographics
At the start, you'll share some background information about yourself.
02
Story Prompts
You'll be given prompts on key topics and asked to write stories from your own experience.
03
Story Party
Sessions run online via Zoom. You can take breaks and skip any prompt you're not comfortable with.
Example story prompts
Topics of Interest
01Experiencing productivity pressure & managing screen time
How do you feel when you need to be productive online? What happens to your screen time?
02What it means to 'disconnect' — with or without digital media
What does disconnecting mean to you? How do you actually do it?
03Benefits, challenges & downsides of disconnecting from the internet
When you go offline, what do you gain — and what do you lose?
04How disconnecting affects your sense of time & relationships
Does stepping away change how time feels? How it affects the people around you?
Participant rights
Your Rights
Right 01
Withdraw Consent
You can withdraw your consent up to 1 month after completion. Your entry will be linked to your email address.
Right 02
Ask Questions
Questions can be asked at any time before, during, or after the study.
Right 03
Confidentiality
Your information is confidential. Data is stored on the university's OneDrive server with two-factor authentication.
Right 04
Stop at Any Time
You can stop taking part in the story completion study at any time without penalty.
Right 05
Skip Any Prompt
You can choose not to answer any story prompt. There are no right or wrong answers.
Right 06
Raise Concerns
Ethical concerns can be raised with the HEC Convenor. Call 0800 04 04 04 or email the convenor directly.
Transparency
Data Management
Ethics
Approved by the Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee. Application reference: HE040648.
Safety
Data stored on the university OneDrive server, protected by two-factor authentication.
Output
Data will be used for research publications, social media posts, and community resources. You'll receive a link to the findings in the future.
Retention
De-identified data will be destroyed in 10 years, allowing it to be used for future research projects.
Research team
Who Has Access
A
Alex Beattie
Senior Lecturer, School of Information Management — VUW
T
Assoc. Prof. Terry Fleming
Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka
K
Dr. Karaitiana Taiuru
Taiuru & Associates Ltd
Ngāi Tahu · Ngāti Kahungunu · Ngāti Toa
M
Maggie Shippam & Dr. Ally Gibson
Victoria University of Wellington — Te Herenga Waka
Zoom session
Story Completion Party — Guidelines
01
Keep Group Confidentiality
Please do not share who took part or what was discussed. Some people won't be open about their ADHD.
02
Video Off & Muted
Keep your video off and microphone muted so others can focus while completing their prompts.
03
Questions via Zoom Chat
To minimise disruption, please use the Zoom Chat to ask questions during the session.
04
No Right or Wrong
Every person's experiences and opinions matter. Write what feels true to you.
05
Take Breaks
Food and toilet breaks are welcome anytime while the session is running.
06
Phone on Silent
Put your phone on silent during the meeting so you and others can stay focused.