You’ve been there. We all have. You open Instagram to quickly check something. Five minutes later, you’re watching someone share a recipe for a cake you’ll never bake, liking a post from someone you barely remember, and you’re wondering why you’re still scrolling.

Social apps are designed to be sticky. They capture our attention with endless feeds, clever notifications, and that irresistible slot machine hit of “what’s next?”. But what if they were designed a little differently?

What if they gave you just enough space to pause… and check in with yourself?

So imagine that you’ve been scrolling for a while, and suddenly the app gently interrupts you. A simple screen appears and asks: “What’s your goal for being here?”

No judgment. No guilt trip. Just a tiny moment to reflect.

Do you have a goal? Are you here to catch up with friends, find inspiration, or are you… kind of just zoning out?

That micro-moment of reflection could be all it takes to break the autopilot cycle. You might even decide to close the app and do something else that feels better. Or not! The point is, you get to choose.

The Behavioral Science Behind It

This is called Positive Friction—an intentional pause in the experience that creates a space for more thoughtful, deliberate decision-making. By engaging your conscious brain for just a second, you reduce impulsivity and make self-control easier.

A Nuanced Take

While friction is often thought of as something you should eliminate in your user experiences, positive friction purposely slows you down for a good reason (e.g., encourage mindfulness, reduce impulsivity). But mind you, it’s not about making the process longer or harder for the sake of it; the goal is still to enhance self-control and make the right decisions easier. Positive friction works best when it’s respectful and well-timed, offering a choice rather than forcing a slowdown. Done right, it empowers people to stay or step away—but on their own terms.