A woman from Dundurn is celebrating more than just a milestone birthday this month. On top of turning 50, Rhonda Lavoie marked the launch of a new app she developed to help people better manage the time they spend scrolling on their phones. Working out of a small workshop just south of Saskatoon, Lavoie spent the past year turning a personal struggle into a practical solution. “I knew that I needed something to help me manage the scrolling, getting sucked into social media,” she said. The Paced App allows users to select specific applications they want to limit, and personalized durations for use. After a set amount of time a message appears on the screen reminding them to take a break, restricting access to the app. “You select the apps that you want help with, and after a set period of time you get an overlay on your phone that says, ‘No, it’s time for a break,’” Lavoie explained. Instead of simply locking users out the app encourages healthier habits. Users can either wait for a cool-down timer to expire, or speed up the process by getting active. “You can either just simply wait for the cool-down to expire, or you can get up and go get your steps in and reduce that timer faster,” she said. To bring her idea to life Lavoie hired an app developer. One year later the app is live on Google Play for Android users. A version for iOS devices is in development and expected to launch by mid-to-late June. The app offers both a free version and paid Pro version, which includes additional personalization and scheduling features. About 20 users are actively using the app so far. While growth has been gradual, Lavoie sees that as a positive. She admits the uptick has been slow, but it’s been beneficial so any glitches can be worked out fully. Ultimately Lavoie hopes to reach millions of users worldwide — offering a tool that promotes balance without shame. “I like my phone. I like social media. I don’t want to be punished for it. I just also don’t want to get stuck in it.” The app also includes an override option for what Lavoie calls “social media emergencies,” allowing users temporary access when needed. The Pro version of the Paced App costs about $50 per year.
