Doomscrolling on social media is a very common problem, and it can feel like an endless loop that keeps losing track of time. Instead of tackling this problem with strict limits, he called for a new careful screen time implementation Mivo Scrolling trying to shake things up.
Launched last month, Mivo doesn’t look too different from other screen time apps. Tracks screen time and usage patterns and provides insights into daily habits. However, Mivo believes that what sets its app apart is its shameless approach. The idea that users should be more intentional about their time online has also fueled the slow tech movement recently, which focuses on rethinking our relationship with technology.
Instead of blocking certain apps outright, users can set customizable time limits for how long they want to scroll on specific platforms. For example, users can schedule two daily scrolling sessions, allocating one-hour windows during which they choose the apps they want to focus on. When it’s time to take a break, a friendly reminder pops up, prompting them to think about why they’re scrolling right away. Is he out of boredom, looking for a distraction, or is he genuinely trying to relax?
Specifically, unlike other apps that might just try to get you away from your phone, Mivo lets the user decide if they want to continue, encouraging users to be aware of how and why they use it.
“Most screen time tools try to limit people after the habit has already happened,” Pranshu Raithatha, creator of Mivo Scrolling, told TechCrunch. “Mivo adds a little moment of reflection right when someone opens a social networking app, so they can stop and ask why they’re opening it before they fall into an auto-scroll.”
Additionally, users can set regular pauses every two, three, or five minutes, encouraging intermittent check-ins that help maintain awareness of scrolling habits. Additionally, after the scrolling session, Mivo asks the user if they feel the time was well spent or just wasted scrolling, aiming to help users create a healthier relationship with their phone.
Mivo also includes a widget that users can install on their home screen to display their daily scrolling time and remind them when their next scheduled scrolling session is.
Mivo Scrolling is currently available for free at App Store.
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