ScreenZen- Screen Time Control 4+

This is helping me be much more mindful with my social media use. I love the pause and the prompts that it gives you before it unlocks the app, that is also super customizable and helpful! The prompts, urge you to be mindful and figure out what it is you are actually wanting. I have mine set to “what are you seeking?” it makes me stop and think about what it is I’m really hoping to get out of scrolling. And if I can’t answer, then I close the app. It helps me feel more In control. Its helping me take back the power. It’s so easy to use, super user friendly, and has sooo many great customizable functions to help you overcome your social media addiction. And the best part is, it’s absolutely free. I never ever ever leave reviews but I love seeing good companies who genuinely want to fix a real rampant problem and not just profit. This app is genuinely the best thing ever for my social media addiction. I can’t stress enough how MANY great customizable features this app comes with to make your experience more tailored to you. It’s also much easier to set up compared to other screen time apps that I have tried, and those even had paid subscriptions ! If you really want to take it a step further, in your settings, go to color filter, and change it to black and white. It will help make your phone less appealing to look at, therefore promoting you to use it less. That hack paired with this app = significantly less screen time. 10/10

I love this app! I have been using it for months now, and it has made a huge difference in how much time I spend on my phone (especially social media). My favorite feature is the checklist of activities you would rather be using your time for, I have ADD and it’s easy to get zoned out and then later feel crappy because I didn’t focus my energy on the important things I want to prioritize. This app doesn’t let me get lost in my phone and has helped me be so much more productive. Thanks for that!

The only two things I would like to see are 1) the ability to add a specific website to a group rather than the entire access to the browser. Not sure if that’s possible but would help to keep me from doom scrolling while still being able to use the browser for the random needs. 2) to be able to retroactively check a task off the list. Sometimes (because I am not on my phone nearly as much anymore) I will complete one of my checklist items for the day but forget to check it off. Once the clock hits midnight the counters reset and you can only click it once per day. So even though I might do the activity 4/4 times that week, the app will only reflect 3/4. Would be nice to be able to just keep a running tally for that week whenever I get the chance to account for it, rather than having to be sure I check it off before midnight. Otherwise, this app is perfection.

You do NOT have to pay for any features on this app, unlike many others. Though, if developers read this, I'd like to say that I'd be willing to pay for the app if it was a one time fee of $5 or less (like the Forest app which I also recommend - yes I use both because I have bad ADD and also it's cute so can you blame me?) I tried Iphone's screentime feature, but I kept clicking it away without even thinking and it started to annoy me because i saw it just as a roadblock to my apps. With ScreenZen, it doesn't feel annoying because it makes you think. I feel like these apps get you addicted so quickly and ScreenZen gives you the opportunity to look past that and actually make the choice for yourself. I love that it gives you a second to pause because more than half the time, I don't actually even realize I'm clicking the app until I do (yes my addiction is that bad). Now I can actually be intentional about the time I spend on my social media & how much of my life I give to it. I still use social media, but I only use it when I have a purpose in going to it (or I REALLY don't have anything else to do). I recommend this app to everyone who is looking to spend less time on their phone / social media. Plus, so many cool customizing options (also free)!!