Three students from Yale University have introduced a new application called Scroll Toll, designed to help users reduce their screen time while promoting charitable donations. Founded in November 2023 by Asher Barondes, Benjamin Siegel, and Chase Reynders, the app encourages users to set limits on their mobile app usage. When these limits are exceeded, Scroll Toll prompts users to donate to one of its partner charities, creating a financial incentive to reduce screen time.
Barondes, who manages the app’s interface and marketing, explained that the team aimed to introduce “more friction” to discourage excessive phone use. “We recognized that one way to do so is by having some money tied to it. But at least if you did exceed your screen time limit, you would be contributing to some social good,” he stated.
Upon downloading Scroll Toll, users can establish time limits for specific applications and choose an amount to donate for every instance they exceed these limits. For instance, a user might opt to donate $0.25 for every additional five minutes spent on Instagram. The app also offers a feature called “scheduled fulfillment,” allowing users to either automatically donate or make manual contributions, giving them flexibility in their donations.
Siegel noted that the concept behind Scroll Toll is similar to congestion pricing in urban areas, where users must find a balance between time and money. The three founders had been independently developing similar applications before meeting through mutual friends. They decided to collaborate, bringing Reynders into the project shortly thereafter.
During Siegel’s gap year prior to attending Yale, he and friends created the Instagram and TikTok account @boys.with.the.bus, showcasing various adventures. The account now boasts two million followers. This experience shifted Siegel’s perspective on screen time, as he became acutely aware of the substantial time users spend on social media.
“I would look at the stats on the phone after I posted something on it,” Siegel recalled. “You’re like, holy crap. I just wasted 100 years of people’s lives in this few-second video I just posted.” While he aimed to inspire his audience, he recognized the detrimental effects of excessive phone use. With Scroll Toll, he hopes to provide users with a structured approach to managing their screen time and social media engagement.
The app was announced to the Yale community in November, and initial results have been promising. According to Barondes, among the first 65 users, there was an average reduction of 20% to 30% in screen time. As of January, the user base has grown to 130 participants. The team has incorporated user feedback, leading to the development of a weekly report to track screen time habits.
Evan Daneker, a Yale student residing with Reynders, has been using Scroll Toll to support American Forests, a nonprofit focused on forest restoration. Having tried other screen time management apps, he appreciates Scroll Toll’s approach, which does not completely restrict access to limited applications. “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 stated.
Another student, Sofia Jacobson, who had never used an app blocker before, found Scroll Toll helpful in setting achievable screen time limits. The app prompted her to reflect on her usage, especially during moments of “mindlessly scrolling.”
The founders are committed to enhancing their application further, with plans to collaborate more closely with partner charities and introduce monthly challenges. They aim to highlight causes such as breast cancer awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
While the team acknowledges that not all users may be inclined to create financial incentives for reducing screen time, 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 remarked. “We know this isn’t for everybody, but we also believe the people it is for, it really is for.”
