Active Engagement Verification to Prevent Distracted Passive Waiting

Problem: I, and maybe you, bypass intervention delays by simply putting the device aside until the countdown timer expires, eliminating the friction intended to curb impulsive app opens.

Proposed Solution: Replace or supplement static countdowns with an active engagement requirement. Users must maintain focus on the screen to complete an action (e.g., tap a randomly timed prompt or follow a moving target).

Expected Impact: Introduces real-time cognitive effort. If accessing the app requires active attention rather than passive waiting, users are significantly more likely to abandon opening the app.