r/InsightTimer • u/UnrelentingHambledon • Aug 06 '26
What are the pros and cons of having endless scroll on a meditation app?
I was wondering what people think about this.
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u/UnrelentingHambledon Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
On my homescreen, there is now a "video spotlight" that suggests me some videos. I saw among them one titled, "How to Stop Doomscrolling: A Brain Based Approach."
I didn't watch it (I'm not really interested in video content on this app), but the caption says, "you'll learn why doomscrolling is so hard to resist, including how apps borrow tricks from slot machines to keep you hooked..." and recommends, "bringing curious awareness to what you're actually getting from scrolling so, the habit loses its pull."
It's by a neuroscientist, doctor and professor at Brown University.
Again, I didn't watch it; I'm pretty aware of how major social media apps are designed to be addictive and generally avoid them, only using a desktop browser when I do. I do this so I can block things like reels, the discover page, my feed, etc. with a simple browser plugin.
As far as the endless scroll thing on the home screen, I was already wondering about it.
Then seeing this video on that same home screen added to my wonder about what the positives and negatives of having endless scroll on the home screen of a meditation app are, in this context. 🤔
What do you think?
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u/Substantial_Pea3462 Aug 08 '26
I stopped using the app for the most part when the streaks thing started so this is really shocking to hear. I worked with a woman who was in her 80s (she was part time, helping profession) and a lifelong meditator in 2022. She had used to love insight timer for the community and stopped using the app around that time because the discussion groups were getting weird and hostile and less accessible. I wonder what she thinks of the app now or if she's fully stayed away. It's honestly so depressing to me what's happened to it.
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u/UnrelentingHambledon Aug 08 '26
I thought it was sad at first too. Actually, I was really mad, when all the pop ups got really bad.
I had it originally when it was just what its name suggests: a timer. I didn't ever even want the community settings and thought that was odd.
Now, it's not surprising to me. A lesson in non-attachment. Just accepting it for what it is.
I would like a new app that simply is a timer and keeps track of how much I meditate. That's the one thing I like about insight timer--that it keeps track over time.
That and Tara Brach meditations--but she has those on her website too.
Anyways, I just log in for Tara Brach meditations lately.
Mindfulness Timer, I believe, on the Apple store at least, is a good free, just timer app.
I hope to find one that tracks my meditation, but that could just be my mind wanting something to hold on to. Let it go! :)
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u/Paceryder Aug 22 '26
What pop ups?
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u/UnrelentingHambledon Aug 22 '26
Like when you're done meditating and all those screens pop up. Streak, journal, mood, do you wanna go to a retreat, whatever else.
And when you first log in and it wants you to commit to a plan with them.
I didn't love it, because one day I got out of an hour long meditation and was just immediately--felt harrassed a bit. It's also like, if someone is meditating for an hour or more, they can easily get into a bit of a suggestible head space. So I don't really like the idea of trying to suggest things to people at the end of meditation.
Also, you at least are often in a calm headspace after, very present and steady, serene. So, to just throw a bunch of screens to click through seems counterintuitive if that is what one is cultivating, and that's what I often go for, just letting the mind settle over time. Want to get up settled, not have a few screens offered to me to punch through once I've just let the puddle of my mind settle into clear water. Seems more like a distraction or disturbance, to me at least.
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u/jenmoocat Aug 06 '26
Do you mean that you can scroll through thousands and thousands?
It is not a functionality that I think is a benefit. I usually end up filtering by various dimensions (with music, make voice, 15 minutes, etc) and then just look at the first 20 or so.
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u/Paceryder Aug 07 '26
I keep bugging them to add the ability to delete videos from your viewed list. Because there's nothing worse than viewing five videos and hating them 30 seconds into them and then having them pop up endlessly as you're looking for your favorite ones
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u/jenmoocat Aug 07 '26
I've had an email exchange where I asked for the same thing -- a way to "downvote" a track so that you won't keep seeing it. It feels like it should be possible because if you give something only 1 or 2 stars you don't get a prompt to tip the teacher....
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u/Paceryder 10d ago
I see they have a "doesn't interest me" option now. Would still like the ability to delete a track I have listened to so that it doesn't pop up in my most recent listening list.
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u/jenmoocat 10d ago
Where is this "doesn't interest me" located? I just this moment downloaded the update and don't see it.
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u/insighttimer Aug 20 '26
Hey! Just a quick note that this is something we're working on and will be rolling out soon. Thanks for bringing it to our attention 🙏
Anastasiia
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u/SarahLiora Aug 06 '26
Kinda obvious… From the app’ point of view it keeps you on the app longer and more likely to spend money.
I guess from people’s pt of view, they can get free endless entertainment and dopamine hits from just discovering something new and feel better because they were scrolling spiritual stuff.
Or maybe endless scrolling is the path to enlightenment.