O Instagram is testing a new feature that shows users reminders when they spend too much time in the app.
The feature, called “Take a Break,” allows users to opt-in to receive notices to stop using the photo-sharing app. Notifications can appear every 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
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Take a Break is being launched as part of a test for a small portion of Instagram users, but all accounts will be able to use it 'in a month or two'.
If fully implemented after feedback from users, Take a Break could help eliminate 'Instagram addiction'. This problem has been linked to harmful effects on mental health.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri described Take a Break in a video posted to his Twitter account.
'What we're starting to test out this week on Instagram is something I'm personally really excited about,' he says in the video.
“It's called Take a Break and it does what you think it does. If you accept, he encourages you to take a break from Instagram after spending a certain amount of time on the app. 10, 20, 30 minutes.
“You're going to see that, if you're on the test, in the next few days. If you don't see it, hopefully you will in a month or two, once we get to a place where we're comfortable enough to release it to everyone on Instagram. So keep an eye out.”
Take a Break appears in the form of a command prompt displayed in users' feeds.
The command says, 'Want a break? Regular breaks can help you to rest. You can now turn on reminders to take breaks when it suits you.'
Users have a chance to tap either 'Enable' or 'Not Now'. If they select 'On', they can choose to receive reminders to take a 10, 20 or 30 minute break.
Instagram then gives users helpful suggestions on what they can do instead of using Instagram.
These suggestions include 'take a few deep breaths', 'listen to your favorite music' and 'do something off your daily to-do list'.
Instagram, which is owned by social media giant Meta (formerly Facebook), has faced recently a lot of criticism about how it entices its users to spend a lot of time on their apps.
The app's algorithms can identify the type of content that users engage with the most, and then expand on that specific type of content to keep them hooked.
Last month, Frances Haugen said 'Instagram will never be safe for 14-year-olds' after that the tech giant's own research suggested that kids are becoming addicted to apps.