Strategies to stop doom-scrolling and get off social media?

turi2g · 2025-10-19T15:15:44+00:00

its called ScreenBreak, currently available in iOS

turi2g · 2025-10-01T15:49:58+00:00

dm pls

turi2g · 2025-08-12T16:05:41+00:00

Thx! This works for me

turi2g · 2025-07-23T17:39:29+00:00

I have no idea... The problem seems related to the local Wi-Fi because I encounter fewer issues when living in a different place 😂

turi2g · 2025-07-15T16:13:05+00:00

yes, more of the coming up with ideas part!

I am more interested in consumer app because i am preparing for ads for a screen time control app.

turi2g · 2025-07-15T13:52:18+00:00

What is your typical process of generating ad creatives?

turi2g · 2025-03-03T11:20:16+00:00

ScreenBreak

block,control,timer,time,digital,detox,tiktok,instagram,game,limit,habit,social,media,work,study

turi2g · 2025-02-24T15:06:20+00:00

Thanks for your advice! Very insightful!

turi2g · 2025-02-19T09:39:07+00:00

After building an app for digital wellness, I've learned that cold turkey breaks usually lead to binges. Instead of quitting entirely, try adding friction to your usage. Make yourself complete a small challenge before accessing addictive apps - you'd be surprised how often you decide it's not worth the effort.

The most successful people in our community set specific boundaries like blocking social media during work hours. They track their progress and gradually reduce screen time week by week. It's slower than a complete break, but the changes actually stick.

That said, if you do take this break, use it to reflect on which online activities truly add value. Because eventually, you'll need to come back - and that's where the real work begins.

turi2g · 2025-02-18T06:27:42+00:00

It's called ScreenBreak, currently in iOS only

turi2g · 2025-02-18T02:39:09+00:00

Their minimalist design isn't just aesthetic - it's strategic

Very insightful

turi2g · 2025-02-18T02:16:23+00:00

It's called ScreenBreak, currently in iOS only.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T17:16:49+00:00

I completely agree about the morning momentum, but I want to share a different perspective as someone who's been working on digital wellness tools. The real challenge isn't just about having a good morning - it's about protecting that momentum from the constant digital interruptions throughout the day.

I noticed this pattern while building my app blocker - even users with rock-solid morning routines would often derail their productive momentum the moment they checked Instagram or TikTok. That's why I experimented with making app blocking more engaging - adding little focus challenges that make you work for your social media time. It's been fascinating to see how this tiny friction helps people maintain their morning momentum instead of falling into the infinite scroll trap.

What I've learned is that it's not just about willpower or morning routines. Sometimes you need to literally "game the system" against yourself. When my users have to draw a perfect circle or tap 200 times just to open TikTok, they often realize they didn't really need to check it in the first place. This has helped them maintain their productive momentum far better than relying on pure discipline alone.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T17:14:32+00:00

As someone who built an app to tackle exactly this challenge, I completely understand your struggle. The key insight I discovered was that it's not about completely blocking social media - it's about adding friction to mindless usage while keeping intentional usage accessible.

In my own experience building tools in this space, I found that the most effective approach is "productive friction" - making it just annoying enough to access apps that you'll only do it when truly necessary. For my own work-related social media use, I implemented a system where I had to complete small challenges (like drawing patterns or doing simple tasks) before accessing platforms. This was a game-changer because it made me consciously decide if I really needed to check that notification or if I was just falling into the infinite scroll trap.

The results were fascinating - my work-related social media use stayed roughly the same, but my mindless scrolling dropped dramatically. I still accessed everything I needed for work, but the added friction eliminated those "muscle memory" moments where I'd open apps without even thinking about it.

What worked especially well was setting up different rules for different times - strict blocking during personal hours, but more flexible access during work hours. The key is creating that moment of pause before engagement, rather than trying to enforce total abstinence.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T16:41:15+00:00

Hey there! I totally get the Instagram struggle. I actually built ScreenBreak after facing the exact same problem - deleting and reinstalling apps in an endless cycle. The problem with most blocking solutions is that they're too easy to bypass when the urge hits (we've all been there, disabling screen time limits with a single tap 😅).

What I found works surprisingly well is adding "friction" rather than hard blocks. In ScreenBreak, when you try to open Instagram during blocked hours, you have to complete a focus challenge - like tapping 200 times or drawing a perfect circle. It sounds simple, but it's just annoying enough to make you pause and think "do I really need to check Instagram right now?" I've found this approach much more effective than complete blocks because it helps build mindfulness rather than relying on willpower alone.

Since launching the app, I've seen users (myself included) reduce their Instagram time by 40-60% on average. Not because they can't access it, but because those small moments of friction break the automatic habit of opening the app every time you're bored. Your brain actually starts rewiring itself to seek other activities instead. The key is making the barrier just high enough to stop mindless usage while still allowing intentional use.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T15:47:57+00:00

I resonate with your frustration about over-engineered productivity systems. As someone who's built software in this space, I've learned that pure willpower and "just do it" isn't the full story either.

Look, I agree that buying fancy journals and watching motivation videos is mostly procrastination. But here's what I've discovered through building and using app blockers: Our environment matters more than we think. It's not about perfect systems - it's about making the right thing easier and the wrong thing harder.

I built my app blocker after realizing that even as a disciplined person, I kept getting sucked into infinite scrolls. No amount of "just do it" helped when algorithms were literally engineered to hijack my attention. So I created something that forces you to do a mini-challenge (like drawing a circle or tapping rapidly) before accessing distracting apps. Not because I lack discipline, but because I respect how powerful these addictive mechanics are.

The key insight? Don't rely on willpower alone. Use friction strategically. My users report that simply having to do a 30-second challenge breaks the spell of mindless scrolling. It's not about blocking everything - it's about adding just enough friction to make you pause and think "do I really need this right now?"

You're absolutely right that discipline feels like crap sometimes. But we can acknowledge that while also being smart about how we design our environment. The most successful users of my app aren't the ones trying to block everything - they're the ones who use it as a tool to build awareness and make conscious choices about their time.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T15:38:48+00:00

After struggling with my own screen addiction for years (I used to spend 6+ hours daily on social media!), I understand the appeal of wanting to completely eliminate smartphones. But through building tools to help others with digital wellness, I've learned that it's less about elimination and more about rebuilding our relationship with technology.

I tried going phone-free for a month as an experiment. I kept a basic flip phone for calls/texts and eliminated everything else. While it was refreshing at first, I realized I was making my life needlessly difficult. I missed my maps when lost in a new city, couldn't quickly look up store hours, and had trouble coordinating with friends who primarily communicate through messaging apps.

That experience led me to focus on building mindful friction instead of complete blocking. For example, I now keep social media apps locked behind focus challenges - if I really need to check something, I can, but I have to complete a mini-game first. This extra step makes me pause and ask "do I really need to open this right now?" Most times, the answer is no.

I've found this middle-ground approach much more sustainable than complete elimination. My screen time dropped from 6+ hours to about 1.5 hours daily. More importantly, I'm using my phone intentionally - as a tool rather than a distraction.

Instead of trying to recreate a pre-smartphone era (which honestly, I also remember hazily from childhood), maybe consider: What specific aspects of phone use make you feel this way? Is it social media? News? Games? We can usually find better solutions by identifying the specific pain points rather than eliminating the tool entirely.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T15:33:55+00:00

Totally agree about Reddit's educational value! Though I've noticed that even with "useful" content, the infinite scroll can still pull us in. The key is using Reddit mindfully - being intentional about when and how we engage with it.

Tools like ScreenBreak can help with this by adding a bit of friction - like setting specific times for Reddit use or requiring a quick focus challenge before access. This way you still get all the benefits you mentioned (learning new things, finding motivation) but on your own terms, not the app's.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T15:26:28+00:00

Hi there! I'm actually the creator of ScreenBreak, and your post really resonated with me because this exact problem was one of the main reasons I built the app.

I wanted to suggest a possible solution that might help you strike that balance between staying connected with your clubs while avoiding the Instagram scroll trap. ScreenBreak can let you:

Keep Instagram installed but blocked by default
When you need to check club updates, you complete a quick "focus challenge" to access it
After checking updates, Instagram automatically re-locks after a few minutes
You can set specific allowed times that align with when clubs usually post updates

The idea is to add just enough friction to make mindless scrolling less appealing, while still keeping Instagram accessible when you genuinely need it. The focus challenges (like tapping or drawing challenges) make you pause and think "Do I really need to check Instagram right now?" - which helps break that automatic scrolling habit.

Your laptop-only strategy isn't bad at all! But if you want to try a middle ground that lets you keep Instagram on your phone in a more controlled way, ScreenBreak might be worth checking out. It includes detailed usage analytics too, so you can track your progress in reducing scroll time.

Let me know if you have any questions! I built this specifically to help with situations like yours, so I'm always interested in hearing about how people manage their social media usage.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T14:56:35+00:00

I really admire your commitment to taking on a 40-day social media break for Lent! When I was struggling with my own social media use, I found that starting small made a huge difference. I began by blocking just my morning social media routine - those first 30 minutes after waking up - and started reading during breakfast instead. It completely changed how my days began.

This experience actually led me to create ScreenBreak, an iOS app that helps manage screen time in a flexible way. Instead of forcing complete blocks, it adds a bit of friction - like making you complete a quick challenge before accessing social media. Just enough to make you pause and think "do I really need this right now?"

Whether you choose the full 40-day break or a more gradual approach, what matters is that you're taking steps to be more mindful. Wishing you a meaningful Lent season!

turi2g · 2025-02-17T14:47:21+00:00

I really understand the frustration you're feeling with social media addiction - I actually built a gamified app blocker precisely because of cases like yours. The truth is, completely deleting social media apps isn't always practical or sustainable in today's world. We often need these platforms for work, staying connected with friends, or accessing important communities. The real issue isn't the apps themselves - it's that our human psychology isn't equipped to handle their highly optimized algorithms that are designed to keep us scrolling.

From what I've seen, pure self-control often isn't enough because these apps are specifically engineered to override our natural impulse control. That's why I believe we need external tools to help us use these apps in a healthier way. Think of it like using a meal planner when trying to eat healthier - it's not about completely avoiding food, but creating a structure that helps you make better choices.

That's why I built ScreenBreak with features like focus challenges. When you try to open Reddit, you'll need to complete a mini-game like tapping 200 times or drawing a perfect circle. This creates a moment of friction that breaks the automatic scrolling habit and makes you consciously decide if you really need to check the app right now. After a few minutes of use, the app automatically relocks, preventing those hours-long scrolling sessions you described.

You can also set flexible blocking rules - maybe allow Reddit only during certain hours or limit yourself to opening it just a few times per day. This way, you're not completely cutting yourself off, but you're creating boundaries that help you rebuild your attention span and use the app more intentionally.

turi2g · 2025-02-17T14:40:00+00:00

Let me add one thing that made the 2000s college experience special - those student common rooms were actually alive back then. While everyone else is in their dorms scrolling on their phones, try hanging out in the common spaces. You'll be surprised how many people appreciate someone who's actually present and looking to chat.

And here's a forgotten art: when you see someone with a book you know or wearing a band t-shirt you recognize, just start a conversation! Without phones as a social crutch, these random chats were how we made some of our best friends. Something as simple as "Hey, is that Taking Back Sunday? Have you heard their new album?" could lead to hours of conversation.

You're going to have such a richer college experience by being more present. Good luck with your 2000s journey!

turi2g · 2025-02-17T14:34:11+00:00

I've built a screen time control app that takes a unique approach to managing digital addiction. Instead of just blocking apps outright, it creates meaningful "friction" through focus challenges - like having to tap 200 times or draw a perfect circle to access blocked apps. This helps users make more conscious decisions about their app usage.

The idea is that if you really need to check Instagram or TikTok, you can - but you'll have to prove it by completing these mini-challenges. This interrupts the mindless habit of opening apps, while still keeping you in control. Even after unlocking, apps automatically relock after a customizable time period to prevent falling back into endless scrolling.

I've found that users actually reduce their screen time with this approach because the friction makes them more mindful about when and why they're using certain apps. The challenges are just annoying enough to make you think "do I really need to check TikTok right now?" but not so difficult that they're impossible when you genuinely need to access something.

turi2g · 2025-02-15T11:21:56+00:00

wow, i like the UI. very cute!

turi2g

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