Instagram has begun testing the long-anticipated Take A Break feature. It will remind users when they have spent a long time on the platform. They plan to roll out the feature to everyone in December. You have always been able to set your own limits in the settings of your phone. But, this marks a new move for social media giants. Less time on the application of course means less money. It is great to see Instagram is fully aware of this and still going to implement the feature.
Now you have to opt into the feature., it won’t just start tracking you. You get to set the time whether this is 10, 20, or 30 minutes in the app. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri had this to say about the feature:
“[The feature is] part of a broader effort to try and give people more control over their experience of Instagram…Ultimately, you know what’s best for you when it comes to how you use the app. And we want to make sure we provide tools for you to shape Instagram into what works for you.”
Instagram’s parent company Meta (formally Facebook) has faced scrutiny after many studies found Instagram is having a negative effect on the mental health of young people. The Netflix Documentary The Social Dilemma put all of social media on blast. For the first time, many people began to realize just how toxic social media was. Teenagers have stated they feel “addicted” to platforms like Instagram and can’t control themselves.
In addition to this feature, Instagram’s vice president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, stated Instagram will try to nudge its users to look at new content rather than shoving the same content in their face. Once the reminder to “take a break” goes off, users will be prompted with a list of suggestions. This includes: take a few deep breaths, writing down what you’re thinking, listening to your favorite song, do something on your to-do list.
What do you think of the new feature?