Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. It is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of “giving oneself one’s own laws”. Freedom is a complex idea and is sometimes interpreted in different ways.
It can be difficult to find a balance between the need for freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. This is especially true when it comes to using technology. It is easy to get distracted and waste time online. But there are tools out there that can help you be more productive and develop better screen time habits. One such tool is Freedom, which blocks distracting apps and websites for a set period of time to help you focus and be more productive.
When you first launch the app, you are asked to create an account with your name and email address. Once you are logged in, the main dashboard gives you the option to choose a block list. You can also schedule recurring sessions for certain times of the day. And you can choose to be notified when the session is over.
During the blocked time, if you try to open a website or app that’s on your block list, the page will not load and instead you will see a peaceful green screen. When the time is over, you can click on the icon again to reactivate the blocks. This helps to build self discipline and willpower as you learn to control your internet usage.
You can select how long you want a block to last and which devices you’d like to restrict access on. You can also select whether you want to allow a short break in the middle of the block. You can also enable a ‘Locked Mode’ that will prevent you from escaping a session before the designated time is up. If you do need to exit a Locked Mode early, you can contact support and they are said to respond within 30 minutes or less.
Overall, Freedom is an excellent productivity tool that helps you block distractions and stay focused on tasks. It is an especially good tool for people who struggle with multi-tasking and need a bit of extra help staying on task. And best of all, it’s a free trial that comes with seven free blocking sessions. Then, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee or a yearly subscription for the continued use of the software. But if you can be disciplined and stick with it, you may find that the app is well worth the cost in terms of increased productivity and building better screen time habits. So, give it a try and see how you like it! It’s available for both iOS and Android devices.