Facebook and Instagram inform users of media habits
Leadership from both platforms said new tools are meant to ‘give people more control over the time they spend on our platforms,’ but some said it was a move to boost waning trust.
Facebook is hoping to instill trust by showing users how much time they’re wasting on its platform—including on its visual-sharing app, Instagram.
On Wednesday, Facebook announced that it was rolling out tools that will show users the average daily time spent on Facebook and/or Instagram on your device. You can set alerts to limit your time on either platform or mute push notifications, helping you to better focus.
All but 1 percent of Facebook and Instagram users will have access to these features in the next few weeks (the remainder are being kept from them for comparative testing).
Ameet Ranadive, product management director at Instagram, and David Ginsberg, director of research at Facebook, wrote in a Facebook blog post:
… We developed these tools based on collaboration and inspiration from leading mental health experts and organizations, academics, our own extensive research and feedback from our community. We want the time people spend on Facebook and Instagram to be intentional, positive and inspiring. Our hope is that these tools give people more control over the time they spend on our platforms and also foster conversations between parents and teens about the online habits that are right for them.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
