University of Bristol Students Create App to Help Peers Resist Phone Distractions While Studying

Matt Stewart and Nadav Jacobs, two undergraduates at the University of Bristol, have unveiled Novi, an innovative application designed to combat smartphone distractions during academic study sessions. The tool harnesses the power of social pressure and behavioral incentives to encourage students to put their devices aside while in the library.

The mechanics of Novi are straightforward: students use special devices positioned at library entrances to temporarily disable certain applications on their phones. Reactivating those applications requires returning to the same device, a process that demands physical effort and deliberate action. This friction serves a dual purpose—it prompts users to reconsider whether leaving their study space is truly necessary, and it creates what the developers describe as an "embarrassment factor" when students must visibly retrieve their devices in front of their peers.

The motivation behind the application stems from well-documented challenges facing university students today. Research shows that students spend upward of six hours daily on their phones, with much of that time devoted to social media and entertainment. While most students acknowledge that reducing phone use could bolster their academic results, the psychological pull of these devices often proves difficult to overcome.

During the exam period, Novi underwent testing across two major libraries at the university, drawing participation from more than 950 students. The results were encouraging: participants maintained average uninterrupted study sessions lasting one hour and 45 minutes without accessing their phones.

Feedback from users highlighted the effectiveness of the social dimension embedded in the application's design. The prospect of walking to an unblocking device in view of other students proved to be a powerful deterrent, with many noting that this indirect peer pressure successfully motivated them to remain focused on their work.

Looking ahead, Stewart and Jacobs intend to scale Novi beyond university libraries. Their expansion plans include introducing the application to schools, fitness centers, and community spaces such as cafes and museums. The broader goal is to reduce excessive smartphone dependency across different settings and foster more meaningful face-to-face interaction among people.