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The fitness app WeWard has introduced a “Walking Mode” feature that restricts access to social media apps like TikTok and Instagram until a user reaches a pre-set step count. According to CEO Yves Benchimol, the Paris-based company, which counts tennis star Venus Williams as an investor, aims to combat sedentary habits by gamifying physical activity as a prerequisite for digital leisure.

How Walking Mode Restricts Digital Access

WeWard’s new feature functions as a gatekeeper for mobile engagement. Users define a specific number of steps—such as 3,000—that must be logged within the app before their social media platforms are unlocked. By tying the use of high-dopamine apps to physical movement, the company seeks to disrupt the cycle of “doomscrolling” that often characterizes modern screen time habits. “As a reward for being connected to the world, now you can be in the digital world,” Benchimol told Business Insider.

Did you know?
WeWard claims its platform increases average walking time by nearly 25% among its user base. The app currently serves more than 30 million users across 29 countries.

The Role of AI in Feature Development

The development of Walking Mode was a rapid, internal experiment. Head of Growth Tyler Chandler utilized AI tools to code the feature, completing the project in approximately two months. According to Chandler, the primary goal was to demonstrate how AI-assisted coding can empower a single person to bring complex product ideas to life. This initiative was intended to encourage the company’s broader workforce to leverage AI for feature innovation, regardless of their technical background.

Shifting Trends in Digital Wellness

While traditional social media platforms prioritize maximizing time spent in-app, WeWard’s model relies on a rewards system—granting "Wards" that can be exchanged for cash, gift cards, or charity—to incentivize movement. Benchimol noted that users typically spend only a few minutes daily inside the WeWard app itself, a metric the company views as a success because it keeps users focused on physical activity rather than the app interface.

Market Demographics and User Engagement

Data provided by the company indicates a diverse, global reach for the app. The current average user is approximately 35 years old, with women making up 60% of the user base. With 4 million users in the United States, the app's most active urban markets include New York, Chicago, and Miami.

Earn rewards while walking! stay active, stay rewarded #weward

Pro Tip:
If you struggle with screen time, try setting small, incremental step goals for your morning routine. Using apps that require physical milestones can help transition your focus from digital notifications to physical health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does WeWard’s Walking Mode work?

It acts as a lock on selected social media apps. Users must complete a specific number of steps, as defined in their customizable goals, before the apps become accessible on their phone.

Is the feature mandatory for all users?

No, the feature is part of the app’s elective toolset, allowing users to choose whether they want to implement these restrictions to manage their screen time.

What happens to the data collected by the app?

WeWard uses step-tracking to reward users with “Wards,” which are redeemable for financial or charitable rewards. The company states the goal is to reduce sedentary behavior rather than keep users trapped within the app itself.

Who developed the Walking Mode feature?

It was developed by Tyler Chandler, the company’s head of growth, who used AI-assisted coding to build the feature in two months to encourage internal innovation.

Are you using technology to set boundaries on your screen time, or do you prefer manual self-control? Share your experiences in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on the intersection of AI and digital health.

The Rise of the Benadryl Challenge

Medical experts are sounding alarms over a social media trend called the “Benadryl challenge,” which encourages teenagers to take dangerously high doses of the over-the-counter allergy medication to induce hallucinations. Dr. Shan Yin, medical director of the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, described the trend as a concern linked to online peer pressure and a false sense of invincibility among adolescents.

Social Media’s Role in Encouraging Risky Behavior

According to Yin, the challenge taps into teens’ desire for internet clout. “I think there’s a lot in terms of people trying to get, you know, internet kind of clout,” he said. “I mean, there’s kind of the invincibility of youth. They don’t think that they, you know, are likely to get into serious trouble.” While the exact connection between the trend and the rise in overdoses remains unclear, Yin noted a significant increase in intentional Benadryl overdoses in southwest and northeast Ohio, areas served by poison experts at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Avondale.

Parents are urged to recognize the signs of drug misuse. Yin highlighted cases where teens exhibited symptoms like “talking to people that aren’t there” or “smoking a cigarette, but there’s no cigarette,” warning that such behaviors could indicate a severe overdose.

Medical Risks and Real-World Consequences

How Overdoses Affect Teen Health

Benadryl, when taken in normal doses, is far below the level where serious toxic effects can start, but excessive amounts can lead to complications. Yin explained that high doses may cause delirium, a racing heart, and hallucinations. At even higher levels, the risks escalate to arrhythmias, seizures, and potential death. “One would be arrhythmias. So it can kind of mess with the conduction of the heart, to be a fatal arrhythmia. And then also seizures. So, you know, certainly if you are having an unwitnessed.. or a seizure – that could result in, certainly, death,” he said.

Yin noted a big increase in intentional overdoses by adolescents, though he cautioned that they cannot tease out whether a lot of these are related to a social media challenge.

Warning Signs Parents Should Recognize

Yin emphasized that early intervention is critical. He advised parents and caregivers to contact the poison center immediately if they suspect someone has taken too much Benadryl or any other drug.

Preventive Measures and Expert Advice

The Importance of Early Education

Yin stressed that open conversations about the dangers of peer pressure and social media challenges should start as early as middle school. “Starting early, starting in, like, middle school,” he said.

Immediate Steps for Parents and Caregivers

If a parent suspects a Benadryl overdose, Yin advised calling the poison center immediately. The 24/7 hotline, 1 (800) 222-1222, provides assistance.

FAQ: Understanding the Benadryl Challenge

What is the Benadryl challenge?

The Benadryl challenge is a social media trend where teenagers take excessive amounts of the allergy medication to experience hallucinations.

What are the risks of overdosing on Benadryl?

Overdosing on Benadryl can lead to delirium, rapid heart rate, hallucinations, seizures, and potentially fatal arrhythmias.

What should parents do if they suspect an overdose?

Parents should contact the poison center at 1 (800) 222-1222 immediately. The center provides 24/7 assistance.

Interactive Elements and Call to Action

Did You Know? Benadryl is an over-the-counter allergy medication.

Pro Tip: Encourage open dialogue with teens about online trends and the dangers of peer pressure.

Have you noticed this trend in your community? Share your story or contact local health officials to raise awareness. Stay informed and protect your loved ones from the hidden dangers of social media challenges.