Three Yale University students have developed an innovative app, Scroll Toll, designed to help users reduce their screen time while simultaneously encouraging charitable donations. Launched in November 2023 by Asher Barondes, Benjamin Siegel, and Chase Reynders, the app allows users to set limits on their app usage. If users exceed these limits, they are prompted to donate to one of the selected charities within the app.
The motivation behind Scroll Toll stems from the founders’ desire to create a tangible incentive for reducing screen time. “We wanted to add more friction to really get people off their phones,” Barondes explained. By linking excessive app usage to donations, the app aims to promote social good alongside personal discipline.
Users can customize their experience by setting time limits on specific apps and choosing how much they are willing to donate each time they exceed these limits. For example, a user might decide to contribute $0.25 for every additional five minutes spent on social media platforms like Instagram.
Once users establish their donation amounts, they can opt for “scheduled fulfillment,” allowing automatic donations to their chosen charity, or they can choose to donate manually, giving them the flexibility to manage their contributions.
Benjamin Siegel noted that changing behavior requires finding a balance between time and money. He likened the app’s approach to congestion pricing in urban areas, where financial incentives encourage users to adjust their habits.
The partnership between Barondes and Siegel developed during Siegel’s gap year, where they discovered their mutual interest in minimizing screen time. After collaborating with Reynders, they announced Scroll Toll to the Yale community. Initial feedback has been promising, with early users reporting a significant reduction in screen time.
By January 2024, the app had expanded to 130 users, and Barondes reported that the initial sample of 65 users showed an average screen time reduction of between 20 percent and 30 percent.
Feedback from users has been positive, with many appreciating the app’s flexibility compared to more restrictive alternatives. For instance, Evan Daneker, a user and classmate of Reynders, mentioned that previous apps often forced users to go “cold turkey” on their social media. “I appreciated that Scroll Toll was a little more permissive but still incentivized you to gradually reduce your screen time,” he stated.
Another user, Sofia Jacobson, noted that Scroll Toll helped her set achievable screen time limits, prompting her to think more critically about her phone usage, particularly during moments of mindless scrolling.
The founders are committed to further enhancing their app by strengthening partnerships with charities and introducing monthly challenges. For example, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, they plan to spotlight related charities.
While they acknowledge that not all users may be inclined to create a financial incentive for reducing screen time, the team believes there is a target audience for their app. Reynders remarked, “At the end of the day, you can always delete the app, and while we would love them to stick with it, we’re really trying to be intentional about our audience.”
Through Scroll Toll, the Yale trio aims to foster healthier relationships with technology, promoting both personal well-being and social responsibility. As they continue to refine their app, they hope to inspire a broader movement toward mindful smartphone usage.
