Instagram debuts ‘take a break’ feature: should you opt-in?

Instagram head Adam Mosseri has announced that the image sharing social network is introducing a new feature called “Take a Break”.

The new feature will allow users to remind themselves to take a break from using the app after every 10, 20, or 30 minutes, depending upon their choice.

However, Instagram users will have to opt-in to this new feature and set it up themselves.

Instagram had indicated earlier that it was looking into features like take a break, although they were earlier aimed at young adults and kids.

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Mosseri had earlier remarked that the feature was meant to encourage people to look away from content that might contribute to negative social comparison, and take a moment to consider whether the time they’re spending is meaningful.

This comes after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former employee of the company then known as Facebook, had testified before a US Senate committee. Haugen had alleged that Facebook, which is now known as Meta, was aware of the harmful effects Instagram had on teens, but did not take any steps to curb it.

Following the hearing, Instagram had paused its plans for a separate app called Instagram kids, for users under the age of 13, which faced much criticism from child safety advocacy groups.