05 October,2026 09:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish Kamble
Illustration/iStock
The fastest way to summon Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise might be to endlessly scroll on social media during your work break. We're kidding. Or are we? A recent viral video posted by a TikTok user shows the Mission: Impossible star stopping by a break room after spotting a staff member hunched over her phone.
Thinking she might be distressed, Cruise stepped in to check on her. While not everyone can have their Cruise moment, there are apps for beating the app addiction.
Available: Appstore and Playstore
Tom Cruise checks up on a seemingly distressed staff member during her break in the viral video. PICS COURTESY/REDDIT; INSTAGRAM
Named after the Oxford Dictionary's word of the year 2024, this app adds a cute spin to habit reformation. An animated mascot in the shape of a human brain guides you through the day, while keeping an eye on your app usage. Our favourite part is that the app automatically pairs with your phone's screentime settings to draw real-time data and suggest changes in your usage.
If you're a habitual scroller, this app puts a speed bump between the impulse and the scroll. Before opening Instagram, X or another distracting app, you're asked to breathe, reflect, rotate your phone or complete a small task. You can also use delayed interventions, scheduled blocks and an emergency brake for addictive apps. We found that the one second delay can, in fact, make you more conscious about your habits. It's the ideal choice for people who cannot quit social media, but want to stop opening it on autopilot.
This app does exactly what it says on the tin. It takes a more accountability-driven approach to screen time. Its USP is the unlock system: when a blocked app is tempting you, it asks you if you really need access and gives feedback before letting you in.
Apps can simplify the process of quitting doomscrolling using achievable goals and timelines. Representation pic/istock
It also offers a Curious mode that allows you to scroll without getting lost in the infinite stream of content. We'd recommend this for people who repeatedly find themselves checking their phones during work or first thing after they wake up in the morning.
While kicking the habit overnight might not be for everyone, this app lets you automatically detect and block chosen âtrigger' apps.For people who often find themselves overriding their own limits, the hard mode prohibits simply turning a block off. We love that the app has a report screen that combines logged data around sleep, focus and rest, giving users a broader picture of their digital habits.
The term doomscrolling originated on X (formerly Twitter) in 2018 to describe mindless scrolling. The term took off during the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, when people spent more time than ever on social media apps.
