Facebook has announced a ‘Quiet Mode’ for its iOS and Android app that will block most notifications and allow users to set time limits. Facebook’s use of the word ‘most’ here is a little ominous, but hopefully there will be an option to make it ‘all’ notifications.
It mirrors the Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing functions found on iOS and Android respectively that help people manage the time they spend on certain apps, in particular social media.
The feature will roll out in app updates to both platforms starting in May and will live in the existing Your Time on Facebook section of the app that can be found in the right menu in the nav bar > Settings & Privacy > Your Time on Facebook. Currently the feature just monitors your usage, but Quiet Time will allow you to set time limits on the Facebook app, or block its use and notifications completely at certain times of day.
Facebook announced Quiet Time in its ongoing coronavirus updates blog, saying:
“Whether it’s to help you focus on your family and friends, sleep without distraction or manage how you spend your time at home, we have tools that can help you find the right balance for how you use Facebook. We added Quiet Mode, which mutes most push notifications, and if you try to open Facebook while in Quiet Mode, you’ll be reminded that you set this time aside to limit your time in the app.”
We could all probably use a little less time on our phones as much of the world is confined to lockdown, so this feature will hopefully help some people curb their indulgence of the infinite scroll when it comes to the app in May.
