Pause: Stop Doomscrolling

UPSTART INNOVATION

About this app

Pause: Break the Doomscrolling Loop

Break free from the doomscrolling loop and reclaim your time with Pause.

Pause isn't another screen time blocker. Instead of locking you out of your phone or making you feel guilty, Pause interrupts your autopilot habits at the exact moment they happen.

Whenever you instinctively open a distracting app, Pause steps in first with a mandatory 60-second mindful breathing exercise.

It takes just one minute to break the cycle of mindless scrolling. Take a breath, identify what you're actually looking for, and decide intentionally whether you still want to open the app.

HOW IT WORKS

Create Intervention Plans: Select the apps that trigger your distracting or compulsive usage, such as Instagram, TikTok, or X.

The 60-Second Intercept: When you open a targeted app, Pause appears first. Complete a 60-second mindful breathing exercise before continuing.

Identify Your Triggers: Log how you're feeling in the moment — Bored, Anxious, Procrastinating, or another trigger — to better understand what drives your scrolling habits.

Make a Choice: After 60 seconds, you're in control. Choose to continue to the app or step away and reclaim your time.

BUILD HEALTHIER HABITS

Evening Reflections: A gentle reminder at the end of the day to check in with your mood and reflect on your screen time.

Weekly Insights: Track your progress over time. Discover your most common trigger apps, peak urge times, and your Pause Success Rate (the percentage of times you chose to step away).

ACCESSIBILITY AND PRIVACY To effectively interrupt distracting habits, Pause uses the Android AccessibilityService API. This API allows Pause to detect when you open specific apps that you have chosen to limit (like social media), so it can immediately launch the mindful breathing screen. Privacy First: The AccessibilityService API is used solely for detecting app launches. Pause does NOT read your screen content, does NOT collect your personal data, messages, or passwords, and does NOT share any of your information with third parties. Your intervention plans and check-ins are private and securely tied to your account.

TAKE BACK YOUR ATTENTION Stop letting algorithms control your attention. Add a little friction to distracting habits, build awareness around your screen time, and get your focus back.

Take a breath. Take a Pause.

What’s new

Fixed bugs for navigations.