Touch Grass: The App That Curb Your Screen Time by Connecting You with Nature
If you find yourself endlessly scrolling through social media feeds and wish to spend more time outdoors, you’ll be intrigued by the new Touch Grass app. This innovative iOS application aims to combat digital distractions by requiring users to step outside and take a photo of real grass before they can access their favorite apps. Developed by Rhys Kentish, this app offers a unique twist on the popular phrase “touch grass,” encouraging healthier screen time habits.
How the Touch Grass App Works
Launched recently, the Touch Grass app employs a simple yet effective concept. Users are locked out of distracting applications until they take a verified photo of grass. This mechanism is designed to promote outdoor activity and reduce excessive screen time.
The Developer’s Motivation
Rhys Kentish shared his personal struggles with screen time, revealing, “I’d spend seven years of my life looking down at my phone if I didn’t change something.” He aimed to create an app that adds a layer of friction to help users break the habit of mindless scrolling in the morning. Kentish emphasizes the importance of making the app effective while still retaining a humorous edge.
App Features
- AI-Powered Verification: The app uses computer vision technology to ensure that users are indeed taking a photo of outdoor grass, rejecting images of houseplants.
- Location-Based Safety: To enhance user safety, the app tracks sunset times based on user location, ensuring that users are not encouraged to go outside after dark.
- Freemium Model: Users can lock two apps for free, with the option to pay what they want to unlock additional apps, half of which goes to rewilding efforts in the U.K.
Subscription Options
For those looking to lock more than two apps, Touch Grass offers subscription plans at $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year. These options provide users with enhanced control over their app usage and encourage a healthier lifestyle.
User Reactions and Impact
The app has garnered attention since its launch, accumulating around 50,000 downloads in just a few days. Users have expressed mixed reactions, from amusement at the concept to genuine appreciation for its effectiveness in helping them manage their screen time.
Future Developments
As an independent developer, Kentish is currently managing the app on his own but is open to investor interest. Additional funding could facilitate the creation of an Android version and expand the app’s marketing efforts beyond social media platforms.
For more information about managing screen time and promoting outdoor activities, consider checking out related resources on Healthline and Verywell Mind.
