We stay connected, informed and entertained through social media. The downside of this is the constant access to these networks, which can generate negative effects such as decreased productivity or health problems related to stress, anxiety and digital fatigue. To counteract these effects, various tools have been developed that promote a healthier use of social media. These tools help us to better manage our time and our well-being. We are going to talk about some of them in this post.
Tools built into devices
Both Android and iOS offer features that allow you to monitor and control the time you spend on social media and other apps. These features provide data about our use and set limits to encourage more balanced use.
- Digital Wellbeing (Android)- This tool offers a detailed breakdown of how you use your phone. It shows the time spent on each app, including social media. It allows you to set daily timers to limit app usage. Once the limit is reached, the app is blocked until the next day.
- Usage Time (iOS): Like Digital Wellbeing, Screen Time lets you view detailed reports on your device usage. You can set time limits for each app or group of apps, and set up break times, where you can only access basic features like calls or messages.
Time management apps
Third party apps also give me options to managing time and productivity, helping you balance social media use with your daily responsibilities.
- RescueTime: This app focuses on monitoring all the time you spend in front of the screen, both on your mobile and on your computer. It provides reports of your daily activity. With this report you can find out how much time you spend on social media, work, entertainment, among other activities. It also allows you to set productivity goals and receive alerts when you exceed the limits you have defined.
- Forest: This app aims to motivate you to focus by avoiding digital distractions. Every time you want to focus and avoid social media, you plant a virtual tree. As long as you don't touch your phone, the tree will grow, but if you use it, the tree dies. As if that weren't enough, Forest collaborates with environmental organizations, planting real trees with the achievements you accumulate.
Content blockers
Social media is easily accessible, which is why it is so tempting. Do not fall into these temptationsThere are applications that block access to social networks and other platforms during specific periods.
- Freedom: The app lets you block websites and apps, including social media, at predetermined times. You can create custom sessions where you decide when and for how long social media will be inaccessible. You can even sync Freedom across multiple devices.
- Detox Lock: This is an even stricter option that involves a more rigorous blocking. This app allows you to block social networks completely for certain periods, without the option to unblock them until the time you have defined ends.
Mental wellness apps
Social media can have a negative impact on our mental health, as excessive use is linked to Stress, anxiety and constant comparison with othersIn this case, some mental wellness apps can be of great help for healthy use of social media.
- Headspace and CalmBoth apps promote mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and anxiety. They are not focused exclusively on social media use, but can be helpful in finding mental and emotional balance in relation to the digital world. Headspace and Calm offer guided meditations and breathing exercises that allow you to disconnect and recharge.
headspace:
Calm down:
Filters, content control and time management
Controlling the type of content you consume is important for healthy social media use. There are extensions and tools that allow you to Filter posts and reduce spam constant flow of information that can generate stress or negativity.
- Social Fixer (for Facebook) is a tool that allows you to delete or filter posts that you don't want to see in your Facebook feed.
- Mute and Unfollow on X and Instagram are useful for when you don't want to unfollow someone completely, but you do want to reduce or "mute" the amount of content you see from that person. Muting an account means you won't see their posts, but you'll still be a friend or follower.
Rest and pause tools
Continuous use of social media can lead to digital fatigue and decrease the ability to focus on other important tasks. This can be mitigated with apps that encourage taking regular breaks and pauses throughout the day, such as the app digitox. This application helps you to Become aware of your behavior on social networks, allowing you to take more frequent breaks. It offers you statistics and recommendations to improve your relationship with your phone.
Even applications such as Instagram They already come with a feature to manage the time you spend on networks. The feature that Instagram offers is called Instagram Time Management and allows you to set a daily time limit for using the app and also set breaks using Break Mode. Limits range from 15 minutes to 2 hours per day. While in Break Mode you can set a start time and an end time and even assign days to take that break from Instagram.
To access this option, go to the Instagram app and locate your profile. There, enter the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the screen. In this menu, click on Time Management. From there you will be able to place a daily limit and set rest mode if you consider it necessary.
