Screen time, the new preoccupation of social networks

Instagram has decided to emphasize the right to disconnect. With its silent mode, the social network of the Meta group gives its users the possibility to mute notifications. Once this mode is activated, social users cannot receive alerts from the social network, nor messages from other users (to whom an automatic response will be sent). A summary of missed notifications is revealed to the Internet user only when he deactivates the silent mode.

Right to disconnect and limit

Instagram also pointed out that teen accounts receive an invitation to activate this mode when they pass “some time on Instagram late at night”. On the downside, this feature is currently only available in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It should be deployed in other countries.

Instagram also offers the option of setting a daily screen time limit. To do this, users must click on the drop-down menu on their profile, then on the Your activity tab, followed by Time spent. Then just click on the Set daily time limit category and schedule a reminder to close the app after the set daily screen time. Five choices are offered to the user: 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 1 h or 2 h. Please note that the feature is disabled by default.

The social network also offers to set reminders to take breaks every 10, 20 or 30 minutes spent online without interruption.

The Meta group also offers to activate and even schedule silent mode, as well as daily time reminders on Facebook. Users of this social network can set a minimum of 5 min to 23 h 55 min (sic) per day not to exceed online.

Snapchat puts a stop to notifications

If Snapchat has not yet implemented an equivalent option, the social network nevertheless allows you to manage the receipt of notifications. By visiting their profile settings, the user can click on the Notifications tab and turn them off.

To go further, users must directly go through the settings of their smartphone in order to establish a limited screen time, which allows them to directly close the apps affected by these restrictions.

TikTok prioritizes sleep and limits screen time

The Chinese social network TikTok made a splash by announcing a 60-minute limit on the daily screen time authorized for those under 18. After the fateful hour, they must enter a password to continue using the application, thus forcing them to discuss it with their parents.

Just like its competitors, TikTok allows you to disable notifications. Parents can adjust the settings themselves by disallowing notifications push. TikTok had already set up this system for accounts under 16, prohibited from notifications after 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. for 16-17 year olds.

In addition to these features, the Asian platform had already unveiled the sleep remindersan option that allows you to indicate your bedtime directly on the app in order to receive an alert when the time comes.