I’ve tried every screen-time tool: limits, grayscale, app blockers, focus modes. None of them worked for more than a week. I just kept scrolling and what i found was a problem that really hadn’t been solved:
The failure of screen-time tools isn’t that users don’t understand the harm; it’s that nothing meaningful happens when they ignore the limit.
So I built a small iOS app that turns excess screen time into a financial penalty. If I exceed my daily limit, a few dollars are automatically donated to a charity I pre-select.
A few observations after running this with ~120 users and +6,000 overrides:
• People override limits constantly when there’s no consequence
• Even a $0.5–$1 “loss” dramatically changes behavior
• Users want friction
• Donation beats punishment
And it seems to be working, which is awesome. We’ve had an overall screen time reduction of ~28% which I think is pretty meaningful.
This is basically a commitment device layered on top of Apple’s Screen Time and Family Controls API suite. We found a novel approach to screen time UX by connecting our backend directly to app shield actions, automatically registering time limit extensions under the hood (even without internet connection!). The hardest part wasn’t engineering but actually getting Apple’s approval for App Store distribution was impossible because of guideline 3.2.2, but we found a way after endless calls with Apple support and reconfiguring the whole app design/flow. I think many people run into the 3.2.2 problem, even for registered 501(c)(3)’s like ourselves.
Building the app has raised one uncomfortable question: Why are most “digital wellbeing” tools designed to be ignorable?
I’m curious whether others here have tried commitment contracts, loss-aversion mechanics, or anti-engagement products and whether this feels like a slippery slope or a missing primitive.
App is called Scroll Toll btw
benjamonster101•1mo ago
This reminds me of the app Forfeit, but a more niche use case. A few apps have tried this before, but have also ran into trouble with Apple Guidelines. How did you get around that?
wormpilled•1mo ago
https://www.beeminder.com/overview
Has the same system where you donate the money when you fail. Can probably get some motivation from their success.
joshmit•1mo ago
Forfeit/Overlord (https://www.forfeit.app + https://www.overlord.app) founder here - happy to help with getting past Apple if you have any issues. You can reach out to me through my email (on website) or phone number (in the Forfeit app). We've had all the issues you can imagine from App Review.
estonianburger•1mo ago
The failure of screen-time tools isn’t that users don’t understand the harm; it’s that nothing meaningful happens when they ignore the limit.
So I built a small iOS app that turns excess screen time into a financial penalty. If I exceed my daily limit, a few dollars are automatically donated to a charity I pre-select.
A few observations after running this with ~120 users and +6,000 overrides:
• People override limits constantly when there’s no consequence • Even a $0.5–$1 “loss” dramatically changes behavior • Users want friction • Donation beats punishment
And it seems to be working, which is awesome. We’ve had an overall screen time reduction of ~28% which I think is pretty meaningful.
This is basically a commitment device layered on top of Apple’s Screen Time and Family Controls API suite. We found a novel approach to screen time UX by connecting our backend directly to app shield actions, automatically registering time limit extensions under the hood (even without internet connection!). The hardest part wasn’t engineering but actually getting Apple’s approval for App Store distribution was impossible because of guideline 3.2.2, but we found a way after endless calls with Apple support and reconfiguring the whole app design/flow. I think many people run into the 3.2.2 problem, even for registered 501(c)(3)’s like ourselves.
Building the app has raised one uncomfortable question: Why are most “digital wellbeing” tools designed to be ignorable?
I’m curious whether others here have tried commitment contracts, loss-aversion mechanics, or anti-engagement products and whether this feels like a slippery slope or a missing primitive.
App is called Scroll Toll btw
benjamonster101•1mo ago
wormpilled•1mo ago
joshmit•1mo ago