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.
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.
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.
