Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Instagram wants you to know when you’re wasting time in its app
August 04, 2025
Instagram is working on features designed to help users better understand how they interact with the app. In a Tweet, the CEO of Instagram Kevin Systrom said, “We’re building tools that will help the IG community know more about the time they spend on Instagram — any time should be positive and intentional.”
The tools that Systrom mentions are likely to include a “Usage Insights” menu. First spotted byJane Manchun Wong, this feature could include measurements such as time spent on the app, and it may show up in a new sidebar.
We don’t yet know how exactly what this feature will offer (or when it will roll out), but it may mean that Instagram can identify usage which is of a more habitual nature — like glancing at the app when anxious or “without thinking” — and when users open the app with a more specific intent.
Online usage habits are becoming a big issue and Instagram isn’t alone in considering features to help control app usage.
Just last week, Google said that it would begin to focus on its users’ “digital wellbeing.” Soon after, the new version of theYouTube app started rolling outwith features that allow users control the amount of time they spent on the app. These include the ability to set up a reminder to take a break, the ability to turn off all notifications for a set amount of time, and the option to get all notifications once a day at a specific time.
The upcoming version of Android is also expected to come with anAndroid Dashboardthat will show users information about the time they spend on their phone and the apps that they use.
Next up:How to tweak your Instagram privacy settings
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
