An examination of the APK of Instagram‘s Android application provided details regarding the social media platform’s new Usage Insights feature. The presence of this feature was confirmed by Instagram’s chief executive officer Kevin Systrom last month and it aims to let users know how much time they have already spent on the social media platform. The latest teardown of the application’s APK code shows that the Usage Insight feature includes an option for the user to set how much time they will spend on the social media platform. Once people exceed the time limit, the application will push a notification reminding the user regarding their self-imposed limitation. Also incorporated into the Usage Insights feature is an option to change the type of notifications that the user will get.
The Usage Insights feature was first reported last month, and previous leaks already show that users can access the functionality by tapping on the hamburger button located at the upper left-hand corner of the application. Tapping this button will reveal a slide-out menu, which permits users to access features like the Discover People and Usage Insights functionalities.
Recent studies show that the increased smartphone use is likely a factor in the increase in cases of depression and suicide among teenagers while there is also a correlation between the time spent on social media with the uptick in cases of anxiety among individuals above thirty years of age. These researches have influenced tech companies to develop their own ways to improve the overall well-being of users by cutting back people’s screen time. Aside from the Usage Insight feature, Instagram has also recently introduced the “You’re All Caught Up” notice, which informs the user that they have seen all new posts from the people that they follow. On the other hand, Google also recently launched the Digital Wellbeing initiative. This measure aims to remove features that can distract the user while also reminding people when they have already spent too much time on their smartphones. The tech firm also introduced a number of features in Android P that help people monitor the time spent on their smartphone, which could ultimately help people reduce their screen time.