Instagram is apparently testing a new “Take a Break” feature that will encourage users to do exactly that, in a way that hasn’t been impacted in the least by recent U.S. Senate hearings.
CEO Adam Mosseri outlined the new feature in a post on—where else?— Instagram, saying that it’s an opt-in tool that, “enables you to receive break reminders in-app after a duration of your choosing.”
What we’re starting to test on Instagram this week is something that I’m personally quite enthusiastic about. It’s called “Take a Break,” and it accomplishes exactly what you’d expect. If you opt-in, Instagram will remind you to take a break after you’ve spent a particular amount of time on the app 10, 20, or 30 minutes.
We’ve spoken with outside experts to determine what ideas should be included and how to phrase taking a break.
View this post on Instagram
Whether you scroll for longer than you like, the prompts will appear, gently asking if it’s “Time for a break?” followed by a little prompt to help you refocus on something a little bit healthier.
A fictional Instagram screen highlights some of the “expert-backed” advice the platform hopes to give for users in a snapshot accompanying the video Mosseri posted:
Take a couple of deep breaths in and out.
Make a note of what you’re thinking.
Play your favorite music.
Attempt to complete a task on your to-do list.
The new function comes as Congress continues to investigate charges that Instagram is damaging to its young users, particularly women.
According to an internal survey seen by the Wall Street Journal, “32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.”
Researchers noted in a March 2020 presentation seen by the Journal that, “Comparisons on Instagram can change how young women view and describe themselves.”
[embedpost slug = “/twitters-in-app-tipping-feature-is-now-available-on-android/”]
