Young people are loving Hank Green’s “Focus Friend” app that encourages less screen time. The app is currently the number one free app on The App Store and has been downloaded over 100K times on Google Play. It features an animated bean whose purpose is to “spend more time knitting” while the user spends time focusing. In a TikTok, Green explains, “You can focus for an amount of time, and that will let the bean make socks or scarves, and you can trade those socks or scarves in for more furniture in the bean’s room.” And to keep them accountable, the bean sadly drops its stitches if the timer is broken. While it’s main focus is not on the gaming experience, it does tap into Gen Z’s love of “cozy” style gaming that’s all about soft visuals and simple, feel-good tasks. Plus, it’s mission to help young people get off their phones is something the gen may be looking for help with—YPulse data shows 63% of 13-39-year-olds feel anxious when they don’t have their phone. (Mashable)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Why Gen Z & Millennials are Unplugging
