Two students at the University of Bristol in Britain launched a new application that aims to reduce the use of smartphones among students during study periods, through a mechanism that relies on “social pressure” and practical behavior change within the library.
The application is called “Novi,” and was developed by students Matt Stewart and Nadav Jacobs. It is based on a simple idea based on using special devices at library entrances, with which the student touches his phone to disable some distracting applications while studying.
To reactivate the phone, the student must leave his place and return to the same device, which imposes physical effort on him and makes him think twice before breaking the concentration period, in what is similar to a “trip of embarrassment” in front of his colleagues when going to unblock the phone.
The developers of the application say that its aim is to address the problem of addiction to phones, especially since studies indicate that university students spend more than six hours a day on their phones, mostly on social networking sites and entertainment content, despite the majority acknowledging that reducing use may improve academic performance.
The application was tested in two main libraries within the university during the exam period, and more than 950 students participated in it, as the data showed that the average duration of the use session reached one hour and 45 minutes without using the phone.
Users pointed out that one of the most prominent effects of the application is creating indirect social pressure, as going to unblock it in front of others becomes embarrassing, which prompts students to commit to the study period.
The two developers plan to expand the use of the application to include schools, gyms, and other public places such as cafes and museums, with the aim of reducing excessive reliance on smartphones and enhancing real-life interaction between individuals.
