Addicted to social media? This adorable, infuriating cat will stop you from doomscrolling
Image: Fast Company Design · source
Dezain Radar summary
Cat Gatekeeper is a Chrome extension that uses a virtual feline to interrupt social media sessions. When a user reaches their pre-set time limit on platforms like X or Instagram, an animated cat physically blocks the screen, forcing a break until the timer expires.
Why this matters
As digital well-being becomes a core component of product design, this tool demonstrates how playful friction can be used to influence user behavior and combat habit-forming interface patterns.
Disclosure: the original title above is shown unchanged solely to identify the source, and this entry links directly to the original article. The summary and “why this matters” note are short, original editorial interpretations (2–4 sentences) generated by Dezain Radar's editorial AI system under human supervision — they may contain inaccuracies and are not the publisher's own words. Always consult the original article as the authoritative source. All content, trademarks, and rights belong to Fast Company Design; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. Rights holders may request removal at any time via our takedown form.