I really like the idea of using the time pressure mechanics from idle games in reverse to push back on certain behaviors until after time has passed.<p>You could even build some Tik Tok (or whatever) reward time into the loop.<p>- 15 minutes pass getting you to reward tier 1<p>- 30 minutes pass getting you to reward tier 2<p>- 1 hour passes getting you to reward tier 3<p>- Open you game and reap the rewards<p>- A 15 minute "cooldown" timer starts where you do not have any reward or punishment around using Tik Tok so you do during that time as a second layer of reward<p>- The official "don't use Tik Tok" timer begins again
Installed it and tried the concept. Progressing by using the phone less feels clever, and the farm/crop side makes the limit feel more like a game than a restriction.
Ive tried a few different screen time apps before but could never rly stick with one because:<p>- the walls/popups they show worked at first, but I quickly developed a habit of instinctively tapping through them<p>- there was no tangible 'reward' for doomscrolling less<p>So I got to thinking: theres already a whole category of apps (idle games) that basically manufacture a sense of progress/accomplishment out of nothing. So I built an app that uses this concept but to manage my screen time.<p>The idea is that you manage a little farm on an island and are trying to maximize production. But unlike a regular idle game which rewards you for playing more, you progress by reducing your screen time. You set a daily time limit for yourself and whenever you go over it, the weather on the island gets rainy and your crops grow less.<p>The app's been working great for me so far (im down to <1hr/day total). And whenever i open instagram/youtube/etc. I find that I actually make a conscious thought about my limit, even with no popups or walls or anything.<p>the app is built in react native and is available for both iOS and Android. It uses the built-in google/apple screen time apis (and boy was it a pain to get the apple one working lmao).<p>Id love to hear your thoughts on this concept since afaik there arent really any other apps quite like it
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