Three students from Yale University have developed an innovative app called Scroll Toll, designed to help users minimize their screen time while simultaneously encouraging charitable donations. Launched in November 2023 by Asher Barondes, Benjamin Siegel, and Chase Reynders, the app allows individuals to set personalized limits on their app usage. If users exceed these predefined limits, Scroll Toll prompts them to make a donation to one of the app’s selected charities, thereby creating a financial incentive to reduce screen time.
Barondes, who focuses on the app’s interface and marketing, expressed the team’s motivation for the project. “We wanted to add more friction to really get people off their phones,” he stated. He emphasized that while users may exceed their screen time limits, their contributions promote social good.
When users download Scroll Toll, they can set time restrictions on specific applications and select a donation amount for each limit exceeded. For instance, a user might choose to donate $0.25 for every additional five minutes spent on Instagram. The app also offers options for users to enable scheduled donations or to donate manually, allowing for flexibility in their charitable contributions.
Siegel compared the behavioral change the app encourages to congestion pricing in cities, remarking that “the only way to actually change behavior is if people have this balance they have to find between money and time.”
The trio began their collaboration after Siegel, who was on a gap year, connected with Barondes through mutual friends. Their shared interest in addressing screen time led to the development of Scroll Toll.
Siegel’s own experience with social media, specifically through his popular Instagram account @boys.with.the.bus, highlighted the potential negative impact of excessive screen time. With two million followers, he reflected on how this experience transformed his understanding of time spent online. “I would look at the stats on the phone after I posted something on it,” he recalled, noting the staggering amount of time users collectively invest in viewing short videos.
Since its launch, Scroll Toll has garnered a modest user base, with around 130 users as of January 2024. Barondes indicated that even with this small sample, early results are promising, showing an average screen time reduction of 20 to 30 percent among users. The team has also responded to user feedback by developing a weekly report on screen time usage.
Among the app’s early adopters is Evan Daneker, who has been donating to American Forests, a nonprofit focused on forest restoration. Daneker, who previously used other screen time management apps, appreciated Scroll Toll for its more flexible approach. He noted that traditional apps often force users to quit certain applications entirely, which may lead them to delete the app to regain access.
In contrast, Scroll Toll allows users to set and adjust their limits, making it more approachable. “I sort of appreciated that Scroll Toll was a little more permissive but still incentivized you to gradually reduce your screen time usage to a healthier amount,” Daneker commented.
Sofia Jacobson, another user, highlighted how Scroll Toll encouraged her to set realistic limits and become more mindful of her phone usage. She found that the app made her reconsider her habits, especially during moments of “mindless scrolling.”
The founders of Scroll Toll continue to explore ways to enhance their app, including closer collaboration with partnered charities. They plan to introduce monthly challenges, such as focusing on charities related to breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
While the team recognizes that not all users may be inclined to create a financial incentive for reducing screen time, they are confident in their target audience. “At the end of the day, you can always delete the app,” Reynders noted. “We know this isn’t for everybody, but we also believe the people it is for, it really is for.”
As the app evolves, the founders remain committed to fostering healthier relationships with technology, emphasizing the importance of mindful usage while contributing to meaningful causes.
