ScrollTax is the iPhone app that cures brainrot by locking TikTok, Instagram, and your most distracting apps — and only unlocks them when you've earned it through reading, walking, or going outside.
Doom scrolling is a design problem. ScrollTax is the fix.
The average person spends 4+ hours a day on social media. Screen time reports show you the damage. App limits let you override them in 3 taps. Neither works because neither has real consequences. ScrollTax makes doomscrolling expensive — paid for in reading, steps, and sunlight.
How it works
Three simple steps.
1
Block your apps
Select the apps fueling your doom scrolling — TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, whatever pulls you in. Screen Time locks them automatically.
2
Earn tax points
Read for 4 minutes, walk 2,000 steps, or spend 15 minutes outside. Each earns 1 tax point. No brainrot allowed until you've earned it.
3
Spend your budget
Each tax point = 5 minutes of screen time. Run out of points, apps lock. No override. No exceptions.
Earn sources
Do real things. Get real time.
📖
Read
4 min = 1 point
Start the in-app timer when you read anything — books, articles, anything. Every 4 minutes of reading earns 5 minutes away from doomscrolling.
Cap: Unlimited
🚶
Walk
2,000 steps = 1 point
Syncs automatically with Apple Health. Every 2,000 steps earns 5 minutes of screen time. No manual logging needed.
Cap: 6 pts/day (30 min)
☀️
Go outside
15 min daylight = 1 point
Tracked via Apple Watch timeInDaylight from HealthKit. The ultimate cure for phone addiction — actual sunlight.
Screen time trackers show you how long you doom scroll. You feel bad. You scroll more.
App limiters let you set a cap. You override it in 3 taps when the brainrot hits.
The fix
ScrollTax makes screen time a resource you produce, not a limit you override. You can't unlock TikTok unless you've read for 20 minutes. The friction is real. The habit forms naturally.
✓No guilt. No streaks. No leaderboards.
✓No dark patterns.
✓Data stays on your device.
✓Works in the background — no need to open the app.
The math
Simple by design.
Activity
Points
Screen time earned
4 min reading
1 pt
5 min
2,000 steps
1 pt
5 min
15 min outside
1 pt
5 min
Daily grace
6 pts
30 min free
Max from reading
Unlimited
Unlimited
Max from steps
6 pts
30 min
Max from sunlight
3 pts
15 min
What people say
Real results.
“I read 3 books last month because I had to if I wanted Instagram.”
“Finally an app that doesn't just show me stats and make me feel bad.”
“My kids actually go outside now.”
FAQ
Common questions.
How does ScrollTax stop doom scrolling?
ScrollTax locks your distracting apps using Apple Screen Time. Unlike willpower-based limits you can tap through, you physically cannot access the apps without earning tax points first. The friction is built into the system.
Which apps can I block to stop brainrot?
Any app on your iPhone — TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, Reddit, games, news, streaming, browsers, anything. If it's on your phone, you can tax it.
Does it work without opening the app?
Yes. Once set up, the Monitor extension runs in the background. Your apps lock automatically when your budget runs out — no manual steps needed.
What if I run out of points mid-day?
Your selected apps lock. You get 1 emergency unlock per day (5 minutes) if you truly need it. Or read for a few minutes to earn more time immediately.
Does it track what I'm reading or watching?
No. ScrollTax only tracks time, steps, and daylight. It never sees content. All data stays on your device.
Does it work without an Apple Watch?
Yes. Reading and steps work on any iPhone. Sunlight tracking requires Apple Watch with timeInDaylight data.