Instagram is building a new tool that’ll inform users how long they are spending aimlessly scrolling through feeds.
The Facebook-owned app is working on a new “Usage Insights” feature, which will inform users the length of time they spend within the app.
The feature was initially spotted within the app’s code, but Instagram founder Kevin Systrom has since confirmed the tools are incoming, replying “it’s true” to a report from TechCrunch, before elaborating in a pair of tweets.
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Systrom says Instagram wants the time spent within the app to be “positive and intentional.” He also says tech companies need to be honest with users about the time they’re spending online.
We're building tools that will help the IG community know more about the time they spend on Instagram – any time should be positive and intentional.
— Kevin S. (@kevin) May 16, 2018
Understanding how time online impacts people is important, and it's the responsibility of all companies to be honest about this. We want to be part of the solution. I take that responsibility seriously.
— Kevin S. (@kevin) May 16, 2018
The move comes as our favourite tech companies seem to be pushing us to use our favourite devices and apps more efficiently and productively.
Last week at Google I/O, the company unveiled a Digital Wellbeing platform for Android P. This will make it easier for Android device owners to limit their smartphone usage, by setting restrictions. For example, you’ll be able to set an alarm telling you to put the phone down after a specific period of usage.
Meanwhile, Apple’s Tim Cook has also cautioned against what he’s called the overuse of technology.
Back in January, he told The Guardian: “I don’t believe in overuse [of technology]. I’m not a person that says we’ve achieved success if you’re using it all the time. I don’t subscribe to that at all.”
Even Instagram’s parent company has Facebook acknowledged it could be having a negative affect on users’ mental health. Last year it said “passively consuming information” can potentially leave people “feeling worse”.
Do you think the leading companies are doing enough to combat tech addition? Is it up to us, not them to reel in our usage? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
