---
title: Instagram wants you to take a break, kinda
description: Instagram announced a new feature called “Take a Break” that encourages users to step away from the app after using it for 10, 20, or 30 minutes straight.
---

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# [Instagram wants you to take a break, kinda](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/11122021-instagram)

 Written by [Rob Litterst](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/rob-litterst) | Nov 12, 2021 1:28:20 PM

Source: [*Getty Images/NurPhoto*](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/user-on-instagram-social-network-in-laquila-italy-on-news-photo/1228865133?adppopup=true)

It was only a few years ago that Instagram was [bragging](https://www.vox.com/2017/8/2/16081086/instagram-snapchat-stories-anniversary-time-spent) about how much time users spend on the app. Now, it’s launching a feature to help users step away.

“Take a Break” [lets](https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/10/instagram-tests-take-a-break-reminders-on-an-opt-in-basis/) users schedule in-app reminders that encourage a timeout after 10, 20, and 30 minutes of continuous use, per *TechCrunch*.

#### **The announcement follows some serious bad press**

Last month, leaked documents [revealed](https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739) Facebook knew Instagram had toxic effects on teenage girls, but downplayed the issue. Shortly after, it [paused](https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/pausing-instagram-kids) development on Instagram Kids, a childcentric version of the app.

Instagram isn’t the first social media platform to add features to curb addictive usage for kids:

- **TikTok** inserts videos into users’ feeds encouraging a break when they’ve been scrolling for too long
- **Douyin**, TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, recently [launched](https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3153292/tiktoks-china-sibling-douyin-launches-mandatory-five-second-pauses) mandatory 5-second pauses between videos to curb addictive usage
- **YouTube** has an entire app called YouTube Kids, where parents can set controls around screen time

#### **Critics are skeptical Instagram actually cares**

“Take a Break” is an opt-in feature, which means users have to manually set it up. Critics argue making it a default setting would prove Instagram is serious about curbing addictive behavior.

While the feature may not be perfect, we’ll know it’s working when Instagram brass starts bragging about how many users *aren’t* using the platform.

[View full post](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/11122021-instagram)

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