Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Trust, Privacy, and Open Source

  • Many are uneasy granting Accessibility permissions to a closed-source app that can “see” other apps; some equate it to giving full control of the phone.
  • Others argue it’s still better than unbounded data-harvesting by social media, but several push back, stressing that high‑privilege tools should at least be source‑available.
  • There is debate over whether open source truly guarantees safety, since app-store binaries might not match the repo; suggestions include F-Droid builds, reproducible builds, or self-compiling.
  • Comparisons to smart locks highlight concerns about both security (data exfiltration) and safety (things failing closed).

Technical Approach and Platform Limits

  • The Android app uses the Accessibility Service to detect scrolling and UI elements, not full screen recording; some note Google’s policy and disclosure requirements as partial safeguards.
  • On iOS, commenters say this exact approach is impossible; the closest equivalents are Screen Time–based apps, Safari/content blockers, or jailbroken/sideloaded solutions.
  • A few developers describe related efforts via ReVanced-style patching, browser extensions, and uBlock rules, noting increasing obfuscation by platforms.

Addiction, Willpower, and the Role of Tools

  • Some question why blockers are needed instead of “just using willpower”; many others respond that feeds are engineered to exploit lapses, and tools act as friction or “walls on the slippery slope.”
  • Blockers are framed as awareness triggers: turning an automatic reflex (opening reels/shorts) into a conscious decision point.
  • Several see them as best for preventing addiction or avoiding relapse rather than curing a deep habit.
  • Others argue tech isn’t the real answer and advocate lifestyle changes, but are countered that the scale and sophistication of attention‑hacking justifies defensive tech and possibly regulation.

Desire to Block Features, Not Entire Platforms

  • Strong demand to keep “social” functions (DMs, groups, subscriptions, friends’ posts) while cutting reels/shorts, algorithmic recommendations, and “explore” tabs.
  • Many share alternative tools: DFInstagram, F.B. Purity, Unhook, custom uBlock filters, alternative front-ends, RSS/FreshRSS setups, and router/DNS-level blocking.
  • Some report success simply uninstalling apps and using the web, but others find even web UIs still push shorts aggressively.

Reception of ScrollGuard

  • Multiple users report immediate reduction in doomscrolling and praise the Accessibility-based approach.
  • Others find they’d prefer complete removal of shorts over being interrupted mid-use.
  • There is strong interest in an iOS version, though technically constrained, and several say they would pay for a reliable cross‑platform solution.