If individuals find themselves wasting excessive time scrolling through endless, unproductive feeds, they may have been humorously advised to “touch grass,” meaning to disconnect from the digital world and spend time outdoors. A developer has taken this idea further by creating an innovative solution.
Rhys Kentish recently launched an iOS app named “Touch Grass,” designed to limit access to distracting applications until users physically go outside and photograph a patch of grass.
Kentish shared with TechCrunch his personal struggle with screen time, explaining that without intervention, he would spend approximately seven years of his life fixated on his phone. He expressed a desire for a more effective method to reduce screen time and encourage morning activity, aiming to eliminate his habit of starting the day doomscrolling for extended periods.
To prevent users from bypassing the system, the app employs computer vision AI to differentiate between houseplants and real outdoor grass. For instance, when attempting to trick the app with a photo of a Monstera plant, the app rejected it. Only after finding actual grass was access to certain apps, such as TikTok, restored.
Kentish emphasizes that the app is intentionally designed to create a significant barrier to excessive phone usage. While the concept initially elicits amusement, many users find it genuinely beneficial.
Safety considerations are also embedded within the app, as Kentish does not encourage users to venture outside after dark. By accessing a user’s location, which requires a one-time permission, the app determines sunset times and allows users to adjust settings to manage app locks when going outside is not an option.
This freemium app initially allows users to lock two applications that can only be accessed by touching grass. Users have the option to pay a discretionary amount to reopen an app, with half of these payments going towards rewilding initiatives in the U.K. Subscriptions are available for those who wish to lock more than two apps, priced at $5.99 monthly or $49.99 annually.
Kentish’s idea of paid unlock features predates the touching grass concept. Previously, he developed a personal app to transfer money from his checking account to savings each time he opened TikTok. However, the grass-touching requirement is more appealing and humorous compared to linking one’s bank account.
Since its debut, the “Touch Grass” app has been downloaded around 50,000 times. As an independent developer, Kentish manages the app independently but remains open to investment opportunities, which could aid in developing an Android version and expanding the app’s reach beyond his personal social media promotions.
