Glossary
Clear definitions of the key terms in digital wellbeing, screen time management, and habit building.
Friction Design
Friction design adds intentional steps to reduce impulsive behavior. Learn how apps like TaskGate use friction to build better digital habits.
Read definitionMindful Pause
A mindful pause is a brief moment of awareness before acting on impulse. Learn how mindful pauses reduce screen time and improve digital wellbeing.
Read definitionApp Blocker
An app blocker is software that restricts access to distracting apps. Learn about hard blockers, friction-based blockers, and which type works best.
Read definitionScreen Time
Screen time is the amount of time spent using digital devices. Learn about recommended limits, health risks, and tools to manage your screen time effectively.
Read definitionDigital Wellbeing
Digital wellbeing is the state of health and balance in one's relationship with technology. Learn strategies, tools, and research-backed approaches.
Read definitionDoomscrolling
Doomscrolling is the compulsive consumption of negative news on social media. Learn why we do it, its mental health effects, and proven strategies to stop.
Read definitionAttention Residue
Attention residue is the lingering focus on a previous task after switching to a new one. Learn how it destroys productivity and strategies to minimize it.
Read definitionHabit Stacking
Habit stacking is building new habits by attaching them to existing routines. Learn how to use habit stacking to build better digital habits and reduce screen time.
Read definitionBehavioral Friction
Behavioral friction makes unwanted behaviors harder to perform. Learn how apps, governments, and designers use friction to shape behavior and build habits.
Read definitionPhone Addiction
Phone addiction is the compulsive use of smartphones despite negative consequences. Learn the signs, science, and proven strategies for recovery.
Read definitionImpulse Control
Impulse control is the ability to resist immediate urges in favor of long-term goals. Learn how it relates to screen time and techniques to strengthen it.
Read definitionFOMO
FOMO is the anxiety that others are having rewarding experiences without you. Learn how it drives compulsive phone use and strategies to overcome it.
Read definitionDigital Minimalism
Digital minimalism is a philosophy of using technology intentionally. Learn Cal Newport's principles and how to apply them to your digital life.
Read definitionNudge Theory
Nudge theory is the science of influencing behavior through subtle design changes. Learn how apps use nudges to reduce screen time and build habits.
Read definitionCue-Routine-Reward Loop
The cue-routine-reward loop is the neurological pattern behind every habit. Learn how it drives phone addiction and how to rewire it for better digital habits.
Read definitionAttention Economy
The attention economy treats human attention as a scarce resource to be captured and monetized. Learn how it shapes digital products and why friction-based tools offer an alternative.
Read definitionDigital Detox
A digital detox is a period of intentionally reduced technology use. Learn the science behind digital detoxes, their benefits, and how to do one without going offline completely.
Read definitionNotification Fatigue
Notification fatigue is the exhaustion and desensitization caused by excessive alerts. Learn how it affects productivity and proven strategies to reclaim your attention.
Read definitionDeep Work
Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on cognitively demanding tasks. Learn the science behind deep work and how to protect it in a distracted world.
Read definitionImplementation Intention
Implementation intentions are if-then plans that link specific situations to specific behaviors. Learn how they work and why they are one of the most effective tools for behavior change.
Read definitionVariable-Ratio Reinforcement
Variable-ratio reinforcement is the most powerful schedule of reinforcement known to psychology. Learn how it drives compulsive phone use and why it makes social media so addictive.
Read definitionPhantom Vibration Syndrome
Phantom vibration syndrome is the false perception that your phone is vibrating when it is not. Learn what causes it, how common it is, and what it reveals about phone addiction.
Read definitionTechnostress
Technostress is stress caused by technology use. Learn what causes it, how it affects mental health and productivity, and evidence-based strategies for reducing it.
Read definitionSocial Comparison
Social comparison is the tendency to evaluate yourself against others. Learn how social media amplifies this tendency, its effects on mental health, and how to reduce harmful comparison.
Read definitionContext Switching
Context switching is the mental cost of shifting between tasks. Learn why frequent app switching drains productivity, what the research says, and how to reduce it.
Read definitionIntermittent Reinforcement
Intermittent reinforcement is the unpredictable delivery of rewards that creates powerful habits. Learn how apps use it to drive engagement and how to break free.
Read definitionAttention Span
Attention span is the length of time you can concentrate on a task. Learn how digital devices affect attention span and what the research says about maintaining focus.
Read definitionSleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is the set of habits and practices that promote healthy sleep. Learn how technology affects sleep hygiene and evidence-based strategies for improvement.
Read definitionCognitive Load
Cognitive load is the total mental effort used in working memory. Learn how digital distractions increase cognitive load and strategies to reduce it for better focus.
Read definitionBlue Light
Blue light is high-energy visible light that suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep. Learn how it affects your circadian rhythm and evidence-based ways to reduce exposure.
Read definitionBuild better habits with TaskGate
TaskGate turns the concepts in this glossary into action. Add friction to distracting apps, complete mindful tasks, and build sustainable digital habits — completely free.