{"id":2764,"date":"2024-02-29T15:24:06","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T15:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/digital-capabilities\/?p=2764"},"modified":"2024-02-29T15:25:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-29T15:25:30","slug":"take-control-of-your-phone-with-screenzen-before-it-controls-you-%f0%9f%93%b4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.aber.ac.uk\/digital-capabilities\/2024\/02\/29\/take-control-of-your-phone-with-screenzen-before-it-controls-you-%f0%9f%93%b4\/","title":{"rendered":"Take control of your phone with ScreenZen (before it controls you!) \ud83d\udcf4"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blogpost by Noel Czempik (Student Digital Champion)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2b50<\/span>\u2b50<\/span>\u2b50<\/span>\u2b50<\/span>\u2b50<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/span>\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/span>\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/span>\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/span>\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\n\n\t\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/span>Rating: 4.5 out of 5.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n

Main positives: <\/strong>Free. Customisable settings for different apps. Motivating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main negatives:<\/strong> Take a bit of time to set up for each app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, smartphone users often find themselves in a losing battle when it comes to staying focused. Access to distracting apps has become so easy and habit-forming that we get lost in the digital world before we get a chance to make a deliberate choice. This is one of the reasons I decided to try a digital detox in December<\/a>, and that was when ScreenZen came to the rescue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is ScreenZen?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ScreenZen is a configurable app that empowers users to set boundaries with their devices. Unlike traditional app blockers that restrict access entirely, ScreenZen introduces a novel approach by increasing the barrier to entry. By providing users with time and mental space to make conscious decisions about their digital consumption, ScreenZen naturally fosters mindfulness in the interaction with technology and, therefore, better digital wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The app is entirely free and available for both Apple<\/a> and Android<\/a> users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are ScreenZen\u2019s main features?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What sets ScreenZen apart is its remarkable customisability, and its main features are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Allowing you to choose a specific wait time before you open each app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Interrupting you whilst using selected apps after a set time (you can set different times for your various apps).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Cutting you off when you\u2019ve reached your daily time limit or pick-up limit (i.e. how many times you open an app each day) and even preventing you from changing the settings to get around it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Displaying a motivating message or remining you of more valuable activities to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Introducing more mindfulness into your digital habits by prompting you to do breathing activities whilst waiting for the app to unlock, which also encourages you to reevaluate your need to use the app you\u2019re trying to open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. For the goal motivated, accessing streaks and other stats to track your progress and encourage you to stay on track, but only for the apps you choose, so you can still read ebooks or use your favourite meditation app without worrying about losing your streak!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n