The new Mivo app takes a thoughtful approach to managing screen time

Scrolling on social media is a very common problem and it can feel like an endless loop of constantly losing time. Instead of tackling this issue with strict limits, a new screen time app called Mivo Scrolling is trying to change things up.

Mivo launched last month, and it doesn’t look much different from other screen time apps. It tracks screen time and usage patterns, and provides insight into daily habits. However, Mivo believes what sets its app apart from others is its unabashed approach. The idea that users should be more concerned with their time online has also fueled the recent slow tech movement, which focuses on rethinking our relationship with technology.

Instead of outright blocking certain apps, users can set customizable time limits for how long they want to scroll on certain platforms. For example, users can schedule two daily scrolling sessions, and allocate one-hour windows during which they choose which apps they want to focus on. When it’s time to take a break, a friendly reminder pops up, prompting them to think about why they’re scrolling at that time. Is it out of boredom, looking for a distraction, or a genuine attempt to relax?

Notably, unlike other apps that might just try to get you off your phone, Mivo lets the user decide if they want to keep going, encouraging users to become more aware of how and why they use it instead.

“Most screen time tools try to limit people after the habit has already occurred,” Pranshu Raithatha, creator of Mivo Scrolling, told TechCrunch. “Mivo adds a small moment of reflection when someone opens a social app, so they can pause and ask why they opened it before falling into auto-scrolling.”

Additionally, users can set regular pauses every two, three, or five minutes, encouraging intermittent check-ins that help maintain awareness of their scrolling habits. Additionally, after a swiping session, Mivo asks the user if they feel like their time was well spent or if they were just wasted scrolling, with the aim of helping users build a healthier relationship with their phone.

Mivo also includes a widget that users can pin to their home screen to view their daily scrolling time and remind them when their next scheduled scrolling session is.

Mivo Scrolling is currently available for free on the App Store.