Instagram is testing a "Take a Break" feature that tries to encourage users to stop scrolling their timelines. Doomscrolling, sometimes known as infinite scrolling, is the act of scrolling a social media feed for long periods of time without taking a break. This is not always the fault of the user, with social media apps often implementing an algorithmic timeline that continues feeding content despite the content the user expects to see coming to an end.

More recently, it appears as though many social media services are attempting to go full circle. Doomscrolling has only really become an issue in the modern social media world with these companies incentivized to keep users using the app. However, this has also led to these same services recognizing that some people, including children, are developing a real problem with leaving apps.

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The new "Take a Break" feature is designed to remind users to take a break and allows them to determine how often they see the notification reminders. Take a Break will be rolling out in the "coming days" and will only initially be available to a small number of users. Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the feature on Twitter, explaining that it might launch "sometime in December" to the general public if the company sees positive results. 

Help To Stop Scrolling

Instagram feed

One of the biggest differences between this feature and built-in options like iOS's Screen Time and Android's Digital Wellbeing is that, even after opting-in to Take a Break, users can simply choose to ignore it entirely. The popup will have a button to dismiss the alert and let the user continue to scroll. In other words, if there's no self-discipline with how much Instagram is consumed, it remains unclear how successful Take a Break will be. Mosseri did say that Instagram will be using feedback to make any necessary changes, so it is possible the current implementation might be refined in the future.

While this doesn't take away from the fact that the current situation is a self-created problem by social media networks, it's a much-needed feature that should be implemented for all apps, not just social media apps. Smartphone addiction is a real problem and whether it's spending time in a single app like Instagram or multiple apps throughout the day, it is becoming increasingly harder for many people to put their phone down again.

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Source: Adam Mosseri/Twitter