Netflix is testing a new feature that allows subscribers to set a timer for their viewing period. Experts say it's a good idea to give your brain a break from binge-watching.
The Internet is starting to break – here's why.
The new feature, which is only available on certain Android devices and is currently limited to adult profiles, lets you choose from four settings: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes or the end of the show. The app will stop at the end of the timer; observers say taking a break from viewing extends the battery life of devices and gives your brain a rest.
“If people want to limit the time they stream, timers are very valuable,” Paul Levinson, a professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University, said in an email interview. “If a streaming TV show is good, it will be hard to switch off and do something else. Too much media consumption can leave too little time for work, chores, and other essential activities.”
With so much time spent at home over the past year because of the pandemic, screen time has increased for many adults, Meghan Marcum, chief psychologist at the mental health center A Mission for Michael, said in an email interview. “As the new normal becomes routine, that may mean less time to interact with friends and family,” she added.
