Simple Ways to Limit App Usage and Improve Digital Wellness
Hey everyone! I used to lose hours to Instagram and TikTok, wrecking my digital well-being. After uninstalling them, I found steps that worked for me, and now I’ll show you how to do them too—complete with guides! Let’s get started.
Steps to Cut Down App Usage
1. Set External Timers with Digital Well-being Features
Use your phone’s digital well-being tools to set limits. I don’t really know about iOS, but on Android, it’s easy:
Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
Select App Timer Option.
Tap the chart, then the hourglass next to Instagram, TikTok, or any other app you want to reduce your use time on.
Set a time (e.g., 30 minutes or 1 hour) and hit OK.
This nudges you to step away—try it!
2. Use Internal App Reminders
Both apps have built-in reminders to support app usage reduction:
Instagram:
TikTok: Hit Profile > Settings > Screen Time, enable it, and set timers on daily use, scrolling time, sleep hours.
Track sleep and usage to stay balanced—check your phone’s settings!
3. Uninstall and Switch to Browser
Uninstalling breaks the one-tap trap of social media. Use the browser version instead:
Delete the app from your home screen.
Open your browser, go to instagram.com or tiktok.com, and log in.
It’s less instant, reducing doom scrolling distractions.
These are Desktop Versions
Perfect for important use— cause this is how i still upload videos without the app
4. Do Something Offline
Swap social media scrolling for offline joy. I love jogging, playing music, and calisthenics (at least in my own small way)—try what you enjoy, like drawing or cycling. It boosts your spiritual growth!
I’m still working on this part ngl 😭
Step outside and observe God’s work in nature for 15 minutes.
Listen to your favorite song while doing your workout routine.
Go for that jog (I’m speaking to myself here 😭)
It’s refreshing and phone-free!
Conclusion
These are my opinions on how to reduce use time on these apps—and any other app you want to cut down on for better digital well-being. But if you’re planning to take out or reduce your time on these apps, you should be looking forward to replace that time with something worthwhile. The only worthwhile option is to spend that time with God—read your Bible. Also check out this faith app at spiritnerds.org to help you on that journey of spiritual growth. I’m not perfect, far from it, and I’m still working on myself, and that’s why I’m pointing you to the only perfect person I know—Jesus. Try these steps and watch your digital well-being soar. Comment with your tips or struggles—I’m new to this series!
