Apps Tie Screen Time to 6,000 Steps and $5.99 Grass Checks to Curb Doomscrolling
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Aug 1
Apps Tie Screen Time to 6,000 Steps and $5.99 Grass Checks to Curb Doomscrolling
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Aug 1
Summary
Several apps now gate social media and games behind physical activity, turning scrolling into a reward for walking, workouts or even going outside.
Digital Carrot blocks apps until users hit targets such as 6,000 daily steps or a 60-minute gym session, while StepBloc, WalkLock and Walkly unlock access after preset steps or exercises.
Steppin lets users earn 1 minute of screen time for every 100 steps, and TouchGrass requires a photo of real grass to unlock apps; its paid tier costs $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
The tools aim to counter doomscrolling's sedentary, posture and eye-strain effects by linking app access directly to movement, with options across iPhone, Android and desktop platforms.