Google has introduced a new feature called 'Pause Point' designed to help users break the habit of doomscrolling. The tool adds a 10-second delay before selected apps open, prompting users to reflect on their intentions.
During the pause, users can engage in a short breathing exercise, set a timer to limit scrolling, view favourite photos, or receive suggestions for alternative activities like listening to an audiobook. Google stated that existing measures such as app timers or complete lockouts are not always practical, and this feature offers a middle ground that encourages intentional app use.
Users can choose which apps trigger the delay, but disabling the feature requires restarting the phone. Google explained that this extra step helps people 'stop and think before disabling' the tool.
The announcement was part of a broader update from Google, which also unveiled the 'Googlebook', a redesigned Chromebook centred around its Gemini artificial intelligence suite. Google described the device as a 'rethink' of laptops for an intelligence-driven era.
