Facebook is in the process of rolling out a new feature in its iOS app that allows users to temporarily mute most push notifications. If users try to open Facebook while in Quiet Mode, they’ll be reminded that they set this time aside to limit their time in the app.
From the Facebook Blog:
Tools to Manage Your Time: As we all adjust to new routines and staying home, setting boundaries for how you spend your time online can be helpful. Whether it’s to help you focus on your family and friends, sleep without distraction or manage how you spend your time at home, we have tools that can help you find the right balance for how you use Facebook. We added Quiet Mode, which mutes most push notifications, and if you try to open Facebook while in Quiet Mode, you’ll be reminded that you set this time aside to limit your time in the app. We also added shortcuts to Notification Settings and News Feed Preferences, so you can make the most of your time on Facebook by controlling the type of posts you see in your News Feed as well as the updates you receive.
“Quiet Mode” can be turned on for a certain period of time or scheduled to come on for specific intervals. Quiet Mode is available in the app by tapping the hamburger icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the iOS app’s interface and looking under the section titled “Your time on Facebook.”
In that same blog post, Facebook also offered information about other resources:
- Tips and Resources: We’re sharing tips from the World Health Organization (WHO) on how people can take care of themselves, stay active, relieve stress, and establish new goals and routines while staying home. We’ll also connect people to their local crisis hotline, so people can call or text to get help when they need it. These tips and resources will be available in the Coronavirus Information Center on Facebook starting today, and we’ll also share similar well-being tips on @Instagram from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
- Mental Health Live Series: We’re encouraging people to tune in to an Instagram Live series from @Netflix called “Wanna Talk About It?” Stars will pair up with experts from organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NAMI, Crisis Text Line, The Trevor Project, Mental Health America and more to discuss how they’re coping during this time as well as ways to handle anxiety, stress, and feelings of isolation while social distancing. We’re also working on an Instagram Live series with NAMI to encourage conversations about mental health and promote activities to help people stay well.
- Supporting Crisis Helplines: We’re donating $2 million to support organizations like Vibrant Emotional Health that operates the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US, Kids Help Phone in Canada, iCALL Psychosocial Helpline in India, Samaritans in the UK, Centro de Valorização da Vida in Brazil and more. These organizations offer critical support for people struggling with loneliness, anxiety and other mental health issues and we want to help them increase capacity quickly during this time.
