Three students from Yale University have developed an innovative app aimed at reducing screen time while simultaneously promoting charitable contributions. The app, named Scroll Toll, was founded in November 2023 by Asher Barondes (Class of 2026), Benjamin Siegel (Class of 2029), and Chase Reynders (Class of 2026). It allows users to set limits on their app usage; exceeding these limits results in a prompt to donate to a selected charity.
Barondes, who focuses on the app’s interface and marketing, explained that the team aimed to create a financial incentive for users to reduce their screen time. “We wanted to add more friction to really get people off their phones,” he stated. The concept behind Scroll Toll is simple: if users go beyond their set app limits, they are encouraged to contribute to a charity of their choice. For instance, a user might opt to donate $0.25 for every extra five minutes spent on social media platforms.
Upon downloading Scroll Toll, users set time limits for their preferred apps and designate a donation amount for each limit exceeded. The app offers an option for users to enable scheduled donations, allowing for automatic contributions or manual donations based on individual preferences.
The trio’s collaboration began when Siegel and Barondes, who were independently developing similar apps, met through mutual connections during Siegel’s gap year. They soon brought Reynders into the project, uniting their skills and visions.
Siegel’s experience during his gap year, which included creating content for an Instagram and TikTok account with two million followers, sparked his interest in addressing screen time issues. He reflected on the impact of social media, noting, “You’re like, holy crap. I just wasted 100 years of people’s lives in this few-second video I just posted.” Despite his intentions to inspire, he recognized that many individuals struggle with their relationship with technology.
Since its launch, Scroll Toll has gathered initial feedback from a small user base. Barondes reported that even among just 65 users, the app demonstrated an average reduction of 20% to 30% in screen time. As of January 2024, the app’s user count has increased to 130. The developers have listened to user feedback, resulting in features such as weekly usage reports.
Users have expressed appreciation for the app’s flexibility. For instance, Evan Daneker (Class of 2026) has been donating to American Forests, a non-profit focused on forest restoration, and noted how Scroll Toll allows for manageable limits rather than forcing a complete withdrawal from social media. “I sort of appreciated that Scroll Toll was a little more permissive but still incentivized you to gradually reduce your screen time usage,” he stated.
Another user, Sofia Jacobson (Class of 2026), shared that using Scroll Toll helped her establish realistic screen time limits, making her more mindful of her phone usage. “It made me think more about my phone usage, particularly when I was ‘mindlessly scrolling’,” she explained.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on enhancing their app, including closer collaboration with partner charities and the introduction of monthly challenges. They plan to highlight specific causes during relevant awareness months, such as breast cancer in October.
The founders acknowledge that not every user will respond to a financial incentive for reducing screen time. “At the end of the day, you can always delete the app,” Reynders acknowledged, adding that they aim to attract an audience that resonates with their mission. “We know this isn’t for everybody, but we also believe the people it is for, it really is for.”
