I made my phone slow on purpose

A user on Hacker News has revealed that they purchased a new iPhone 17 and deliberately slowed its internet speed to address compulsive doomscrolling, an unconventional approach to digital health management.

The individual built a custom iOS app called VineWall, which controls the internet speed of select applications. Initially, the app caps internet speed at a level comparable to a spotty cellular connection, causing videos to become blocky and images to load slowly. As the throttling increases, apps display more loading spinners and fewer images, making the experience less appealing and reducing the tendency to endlessly scroll.

This method aims to make the ‘cookie’—the enticing content on social media—less accessible and less tempting, thereby discouraging compulsive use. The user reports that this approach has caused a noticeable decrease in their doomscrolling behavior, which they struggled to control despite previous attempts with app blockers and other methods.

Why It Matters

This experiment demonstrates a novel, user-driven approach to managing digital addiction by intentionally degrading the quality of app experiences through internet speed throttling. It raises questions about the potential for personal tech solutions to improve mental health and digital well-being, especially as traditional methods often fail to address underlying cravings.

Background

The concept builds on ongoing concerns about the addictive nature of social media and the difficulty many users face in controlling their screen time. Previous efforts to curb usage include app blockers and digital detoxes, but these are often bypassed or ineffective. This user’s approach offers a practical, if unconventional, alternative by directly modifying the technical experience of app use.

“I bought a brand new iPhone and immediately made it slow on purpose. My goal was to reduce my doomscrolling habit by making the content less appealing and accessible.”

— Hacker News user

“VineWall controls internet speed for specific apps, gradually increasing throttling to make videos and images less crisp, encouraging users to reconsider their scrolling habits.”

— Developer of VineWall

What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear how sustainable or effective this method is over the long term, or whether it can be widely adopted. The user’s personal experience may not generalize, and the technical feasibility of similar solutions on other devices or platforms remains uncertain.

What’s Next

Further testing and user reports are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. Developers may explore integrating such features into mainstream apps or operating systems, and researchers might assess its impact on digital habits.

Key Questions

Can slowing down internet speed on my phone really reduce my urge to scroll?

According to the user’s experience, making content load more slowly can decrease the temptation to endlessly scroll, as the experience becomes less satisfying and more frustrating.

Is this method safe or advisable for general users?

While the user reports positive results, this approach involves technical modifications that may not be suitable or safe for all users. It is experimental and not officially supported by device manufacturers.

Will this affect my device’s performance or functionality?

Throttling internet speed primarily impacts app content loading; core device functions remain unaffected. However, some apps may not work as intended if their content is consistently slowed down.

Could this idea be integrated into mainstream apps or OS features?

Potentially, yes. Developers or OS providers could incorporate similar features to help users manage their digital habits, but currently, this remains an individual experiment.

Source: Hacker News