Pocket Points, an app that rewards students for locking their phones during class, is trying to ease the temptation to use a smartphone in class.
Since its launch in 2014, Pocket Points has kept students off their phones for more than 650 million minutes, said Mitch Gardner, Pocket Points chief operating officer and co-founder.
Pocket Points came to IU-Bloomington’s campus in fall 2015.
Students who use the app can turn off their phones and receive points for how long they are not on their phones. Points add up and can be used to earn rewards, such as free food or money off at an online store. Students can turn off their phone when they’re in specific locations on campus, such as classroom buildings or the library.
“It’s an easy way to save money, even if there’s not huge benefits,” IU sophomore Joie Li said. “As college students, I feel like we appreciate saving that money.”
Li downloaded the app in the beginning of her freshman year after she heard that if she earned a certain amount of points, she could receive a dozen Baked cookies for free.
Gardner said he made the app because when he was a student, he was part of the problem.
“Students are so distracted right now with their mobile device or smartphone,” Gardner said. “You need to be part of the problem to be able to solve the problem.”
A recent change to the app was the addition of a leaderboard that shows those using the app who has the most points.
“We found that people were really fascinated with earning points, so we decided to create a friendly competition,” Gardner said.
Gardner said within the first few weeks of the app’s launch, they saw more than 30 percent of students using it.
“It’s something that really resonates with both students and teachers,” Gardner said.
Li said that downloading the app doesn’t hurt, even if she doesn’t remember to always use it.
“There’s really no downside to having the app,” Li said.
