This week I’m reviewing the ScreenZen app. ScreenZen is a productivity app that is designed to help people use their devices more mindfully and reduce their overall screen time. Users set screen limits for different categories of apps and websites (e.g. social media, games, etc.) and set a schedule when these limits are in effect. If a user tries to open a distracting app during the designated timeframe, ScreenZen prompts them them to consider if opening the app is actually necessary. The user then has to decide if it is important or not. If opening the restricted app is necessary, ScreenZen will open the app for a brief pause and keep it open for a few minutes before locking the app down again. ScreenZen also has suggestions for a ten day digital declutter including how to set up Do Not Disturb mode, limit notifications from other apps, or reduce spam in their email inbox.
Intended Use: The app is for productivity.
Target Audience: The app is listed as appropriate for ages four and up. Adults and teens can set up the app for themselves and parents/guardians can set up the app for use with younger children.
Usability: The interface is the primarily text based. Users who are not tech savvy may have some difficulty setting up the app. Once the setting are put in place, the app restricts distracting app usage automatically.
Cost: The app is free.
Technical Requirements: Available for iOS.
Pro’s:
The app is based on theories of behavior change. Specifically, ScreenZen works by interrupting the impulse to check your phone. Instead of picking up your phone and receiving a reward (e.g. opening an app for distraction or entertainment) the user is presented with a moment to pause and think through their decision. This reduces mindless activity and helps the user reduce temptation. Unlike other screen limiting apps, ScreenZen does not require all-or-nothing behavior change. Users can set the number of times they are allowed to open distracting apps each day. It is often unrealistic and unsustainable to go from checking your phone dozens of time per day to not checking it at all.
Users can fully customize their experience. This includes which apps are restricted, during what days and hours, how many pick ups they are allowed, what mindful question they are asked during the pause, and the length of the pause (which can be the same amount of time each time or increase with each pick up).
The app includes ten steps for digital decluttering their device and email inbox.
Con’s:
The app relies on the user to set the controls. This means that 1. you have to be honest with yourself about what apps are distracting for you and 2. you have to actually set restrictions on those apps. For example, you might struggle with checking social media during work. You restrict Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok, but not Instragram, even though that is the app you use the most. This is not a fault of the app, rather, it is something to be mindful of when you are setting up your controls.
Some of the screen limits are relatively easy to circumvent. Some entertainment apps, such as YouTube, can stay open longer than the screen limit time if the video is playing in picture-in-picture mode.
Is it worth it? The app is free and in the days that I have been testing it, I have noticed that I’m using the restricted apps less. I would recommend the app to anyone who is trying to use their devices more mindfully without having to go “cold turkey.” Gradual changes are generally more sustainable than radical ones and this tool can be a useful support as long as you are honest with yourself about what your strengths, weaknesses, and goals are.