Student smartphone addiction is becoming a growing concern but the Hold app is hoping to combat it by offering rewards to individuals who don't look at their phones on campus.
The app was designed after a study revealed that one in eight university students were addicted to their phones. Through the app, students can press a button which times how long they refrain from opening their device. Students gain points as each minute passes, which can be redeemed for rewards like cinema tickets. To make things competitive, the app enables friends to connect with one another so that they can track their progress on a leader board.
In Norway, 40% of students are using the Hold app.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Smartphone Addiction
- The growing concern of smartphone addiction creates opportunities for apps that incentivize users to reduce their screen time.
- Rewards-based Apps
- Apps that offer rewards, such as cinema tickets, for not using smartphones can encourage individuals to change their behavior.
- Social Competition
- The integration of leader boards and friend connectivity in apps can foster social competition among users to reduce phone usage.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Education Technology
- The Hold app and similar apps have potential in the education technology industry to address and combat smartphone addiction among students.
- Wellness and Self Improvement
- Rewards-based apps can find applications in the wellness and self-improvement industry, as they encourage users to prioritize mindfulness and reduce screen time.
- Mobile App Development
- The increasing demand for apps that address smartphone addiction presents opportunities in the mobile app development industry, specifically in creating innovative solutions to help users reduce their reliance on their devices.
