Pinterest Introduces Alerts to Reduce Teen Usage During School Hours

Pinterest recently announced it is testing a new feature aimed at reducing app usage among teenagers during school hours. The initiative is part of the platform's commitment to supporting student focus and enhancing digital well-being.

Feature Details

The alert targets users aged 13 to 17 in the U.S. and Canada and is active on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The message reads:
"Focus is a beautiful thing. Stay in the moment by logging off Pinterest and pausing notifications until the school bell rings."

According to Pinterest, this is the first large-scale test of a proactive feature of this nature, potentially reaching millions of teens.

Background and Rationale

This move comes amid growing concerns about the impact of excessive smartphone and social media use on students’ concentration and academic performance. Studies have shown that heavy social media usage is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and lower academic achievement among teens.

In addition, several U.S. states and European countries—such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and France—have adopted or are considering stricter policies to limit phone use in schools.

Commitment to Digital Well-Being

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has voiced support for legislation that promotes distraction-free school environments, such as the Kids Online Safety Act and school phone-free policies. The company is also investing in digital well-being initiatives, including a $1 million donation to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to help school leaders create healthy digital cultures.

Reactions and Outlook

The initiative has been welcomed by educators and digital health experts, who view it as a positive step toward encouraging healthier habits among teens. Pinterest says insights from the pilot will help its teams build a more positive and inspiring platform for young users.

Source: The Verge

Foto de Souvik Banerjee no Unsplash