View
comments
Instagram is testing a new feature that gives users reminders when they’ve spent too long on the app.
The feature, called Take a Break, lets users opt-in to receive prompts to stop using the photo-sharing app – every 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Take a Break is rolling out as part of a test for a small sample of Instagram users, but all accounts could get it 'in a month or two'.
If it does get a full rollout following user feedback, Take a Break could help cut 'Instagram addiction', which has been linked to harmful effects on mental health.
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri outlined Take a Break in a video posted to his Twitter account.
'What we're starting to test this week on Instagram is one that I'm actually personally very excited about,' he says in the video.
'It's called Take a Break and it does what you think it does. If you opt-in it encourages you to take a break from Instagram after you spend a certain amount of time on the app – 10, 20, 30 minutes.
'You're going to see this, if you're in the test, over the coming days. If you don't see it, you will hopefully get it in a month or two, once we get to a place where we're comfortable enough launching it to everybody on Instagram. So keep an eye out.'
Take a Break comes in the form of a prompt displayed in users' feeds, rather than a pop-up that takes over the entire screen.
The prompt says: 'Want a break? Regular breaks can help you reset. You can now turn on reminders to take breaks
