Three students from Yale University have developed a new application called Scroll Toll, designed to help users minimize their screen time while simultaneously encouraging charitable donations. The app, founded in November 2023 by students Asher Barondes (Class of 2026), Benjamin Siegel (Class of 2029), and Chase Reynders (Class of 2026), prompts users to donate to selected charities when they exceed set limits on app usage.
The core functionality of Scroll Toll allows users to establish time limits for specific applications on their phones. If users surpass these limits, they are prompted to make a donation to one of the app’s partnered charities. Barondes, who focuses on the app’s interface and marketing, emphasized the importance of creating a financial incentive to help users reduce their screen time. “We wanted to add more friction to really get people off their phones,” he stated. “But at least if you did exceed your screen time limit, you would be contributing to some social good.”
Upon downloading the app, users can select time limits for various applications and determine an amount they are willing to donate each time they exceed these limits. For instance, a user might choose to contribute $0.25 for every additional five minutes spent on Instagram. The app then provides an option for users to enable scheduled fulfillment, which facilitates automatic donations, or to manage donations manually.
Siegel, who compared the app’s impact to congestion pricing in urban environments, pointed out that achieving behavioral change often requires balancing financial and time considerations. He and Barondes initially explored similar concepts independently before joining forces when they discovered their mutual interests. Reynders later joined the team, enhancing their collaborative efforts.
During a gap year prior to Yale, Siegel and friends created the Instagram and TikTok account @boys.with.the.bus, where they showcased adventures and projects, amassing two million followers. Reflecting on his experiences, Siegel recognized the potential drawbacks of excessive screen time. “I would look at the stats on the phone after I posted something on it,” he said. “You’re like, holy crap. I just wasted 100 years of people’s lives in this few-second video I just posted.” With Scroll Toll, he aims to help users establish healthier relationships with their phones.
Since its launch to the Yale community, initial feedback has been positive. Barondes noted that, among the first 65 users, there was an average reduction of 20 to 30 percent in screen time. As of January 2024, the app has grown to 130 users. The development team has incorporated user feedback to enhance the app, including a feature that generates weekly reports on individual screen time usage.
Users have expressed appreciation for Scroll Toll’s approach. Evan Daneker, a Yale student residing with Reynders, has been donating to American Forests, a nonprofit focused on forest restoration. Daneker, who has previously used other screen time management apps, welcomed Scroll Toll’s flexibility. “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,” he shared.
Sofia Jacobson, another Yale student, found Scroll Toll beneficial for establishing realistic screen time limits. She noted that the app prompted her to reflect on her phone usage, especially during moments of “mindless scrolling.”
Looking ahead, the Scroll Toll team is exploring ways to strengthen partnerships with their affiliated charities. They plan to introduce monthly challenges, such as highlighting charities related to breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The founders recognize that not all potential users may be inclined to create financial incentives for reducing screen time, but they believe there is a target audience for their app.
“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,” Reynders explained. “We know this isn’t for everybody, but we also believe the people it is for, it really is for.”
With its unique focus on combining screen time management with charitable contributions, Scroll Toll aims to make a meaningful impact in the digital lives of its users while supporting important causes.
