The photo has been used for presentation.
Digital Desk, New Delhi. If the smartphone is disturbing our concentration then the solution is also there. For this, some innovators have come up with such apps which can increase concentration. These 'focus and productivity apps' claim to maintain focus through timers, app-blocking, gamification, and rewards.
Dwayne Allen of the University of Canterbury studied these apps to see how effective they are. In conclusion, they found that these apps can be used for a limited period of time to develop habits.
Why does attention wander?
Experts say that the root cause of distraction is not technology, but our emotions and habits. When a task seems boring, difficult or stressful, the mind looks for a way to avoid it. Smartphones have become the easiest means of protection.
Interestingly, research does not say that humans' ability to focus has reduced, rather it does show that today's environment puts more pressure on our attention than ever before. Constant digital interruptions and multitasking have increased the tendency to get distracted in some people.
It is in this background that apps like 'Focus Friend' have emerged. This app, through a virtual character, motivates the user to work while staying away from the phone for a fixed period of time. Completing a focus session earns digital rewards, while breaking the rules results in losses. It uses psychological principles such as motivation, commitment and the 'Ikea Effect'. In the Ikea effect, we start giving more importance to the items made or added by ourselves. Focus Friend app was launched in August last year and in the very first month it overtook ChatGPT to become the most downloaded app.
Focus apps can be effective in forming habits
However, research on the effectiveness of focus apps is still limited. Some studies have found that while gamified apps appeal to users, they have low long-term usage and are less effective than simple solutions—like putting the phone in grayscale mode.
Simply having fun or enjoyment does not guarantee increased productivity. Allen said that if someone has a habit of repeatedly looking at the phone during work, then focus apps can be tried for a limited time.
It is also important that users review their experience and understand whether the app is helping them or whether they are becoming a slave to the app. In the end, focus apps can be a help, but the real battle is within.
Understanding the reasons for distraction, accepting the discomfort, and deciding to stick to the important task at hand can bring focus back in the long run.
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