Instagram trials Take a Break feature
Instagram is launching a feature to encourage its users to control the amount of time they spend on the app. We’ve previously touched on tips to help reduce your screen time, but this feature looks to be coming from the hearts of the developers at Instagram.
Announced by Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, on November 10th, the Take a Break feature allows users to set a time when they will receive a notification suggesting ways to take a break from scrolling.
Instagram users can choose to be alerted to take a break for 10, 20 or 30 minutes, and the notifications can be turned off if the user has had enough or can control their scrolling urges! The app even provides suggestions on what to do in the meantime — if you’re not working of course 😉 — such as meditation, journaling, listening to music or being productive doing some life admin.
With higher usage frequency likely amongst users due to lockdowns recently, it’s a great way to encourage positive mental and social health behaviours now that we have renewed freedoms away from screens.
The idea of social media “cleanses” — logging out and/or deactivating accounts for a decided amount of time — have been relatively commonplace for a while now, but it’s encouraging to see social media companies playing their part in users’ health and wellbeing.
You can view Mosseri’s explanation on his recent Instagram post:
If you liked this blog post, you may be interested in reading ‘Do we forget about people who aren’t active on social media?’