Instagram 'Take a Break' Reminders: New Opt-In Test

Instagram Introduces “Take a Break” Feature

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has announced the commencement of testing for a new feature this week, titled “Take a Break.” This functionality will enable users to receive prompts reminding them to pause their app usage after a predetermined interval – 10, 20, or 30 minutes – based on individual preferences.

However, as an optional feature, the effectiveness of these reminders may be constrained. Users must proactively activate this new control themselves, requiring intrinsic motivation to do so.

Previous Discussions of “Take a Break”

The company had previously indicated its exploration of “Take a Break” reminders. Mosseri, for example, highlighted the impending addition while discussing Instagram’s decision to temporarily halt development of Instagram for Kids, a version of the service intended for younger audiences.

He cited Instagram’s intentions to incorporate “nudges” and “reminders,” such as “Take a Break,” as illustrative of the platform’s efforts to address concerns regarding its product’s influence on user mental wellbeing.

Mentioned During Senate Hearings

Antigone Davis, Meta’s (formerly Facebook’s) Global Head of Security, also referenced Instagram’s “Take a Break” reminders during a Senate hearing in September concerning teen mental health.

The intention behind the feature, she explained, is to encourage users to cease browsing the application after prolonged engagement. This was presented as one of several initiatives undertaken by the company to enhance the experiences of young platform users.

Limited Impact Expected

Similar to Instagram’s experiment with concealing Like counts on posts – which was also ultimately made optional – these new “break” reminders are unlikely to significantly alter platform usage patterns. They are not being implemented as the standard user experience.

Furthermore, the extent to which users will embrace the feature remains uncertain, considering that built-in screen time controls on both iOS and Android already allow device owners to establish time limits for mobile app usage, either individually or by category, such as “social” applications.

A Question of Intent

Instagram, therefore, seems to be seeking recognition for developing mental health-focused features without enacting sweeping, universal changes that could potentially affect app usage.

Past Instances of Similar Behavior

This is not an isolated occurrence for Instagram. In 2018, the platform introduced a “You’re All Caught Up” notification that appeared when users had viewed all recent content from the preceding two days on their Instagram Feed.

However, the following year, Instagram reversed course and began utilizing the space beneath this notification to display suggested posts and advertisements, aiming to maintain user engagement even after they had reached a natural stopping point.

Comparison to TikTok

If Instagram were genuinely committed to addressing mental health concerns, it could proactively display a reminder to users within the app, and then provide controls allowing them to disable or customize the reminder’s duration.

TikTok already employs this strategy by integrating videos into users’ “For You” feeds that suggest taking a break after extended scrolling. TikTok also utilizes influencers with substantial followings to deliver these warnings, potentially increasing their impact compared to simple pop-up notifications.

Rollout Plans

Mosseri stated that the new “Take a Break” reminders are currently being tested with a limited user base this week. The company anticipates a wider public release of the feature in the coming months.