This is about a user who already enabled a "distraction free" time on their phone, and how you might design a bypassing process which (A) deters a user who was really just looking for a quick dopamine hit and (B) tries to let them through in a way which is less-likely to lead to immediate backsliding.
I only mentioned meditation because it would be nice if a hypothetical psychic mind-reading phone could tell that you were about to use it mindfully.
> You want people to stare at a blank screen as a form of introspection.
No, the real point is that it is boring and imposes a delay before gratification. Any kind of boredom-driven introspection is a side-benefit.
> Good lord you think that task is relatively easy?
Remembering three digits while having no other demands on your decision-making nor on your memory? Yes, you ought to succeed at that.
> Also what is this "uncomfortable alone with their thoughts time"?
"Hey, I've been staring at this goddamn thing for what feels like ten minutes already... did I really need to bypass this lockout just to check if I got another e-mail or tweetstagram?"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode...
>MindBell rings periodically during the day as a mindfulness bell, to give you the opportunity to hold on for a moment and consider what you are currently doing, and in what state of mind you are while you are doing it.
It is actually quite effective for me in halting briefly my careening thoughts. May seem silly to some.
> Brainstorming: Suppose you must enter a random 3 digit code for an early "unlock" of no-distraction mode. The only way to get the code is to watch a blank screen for 2-3 minutes, where each digit is briefly visible at an unpredictable time spread out through the duration.
Hold on a second here. You want people to stare at a blank screen as a form of introspection. Additionally you want them to pay attention to that blank screen to see if a number briefly appears then remember that number while staring and being introspective. Good lord you think that task is relatively easy?
Also what is this "uncomfortable alone with their thoughts time"? Do people shower with their devices, are people literally never without these things? More importantly are you uncomfortable in your own head? I'm seriously confused by this to the point of being indignant and I'm only 25.