Discover KeepMeOut: Your Guide to Controlling Web Distractions & Internet Addiction in 2024

KeepMeOut: For many of us, that phrase has become a mantra, a digital safeguard whispered into the echo chamber of our internet-addicted lives. The rabbit hole of endless scrolling, the constant chimes of notifications – distractions are everywhere. And they’re not just annoying; they’re productivity killers.

As the Internet becomes almost ubiquitous, more and more people are starting to have addiction problems.  If you are a teen or a student, this can already be a problem. If you are a worker or an online entrepreneur, this can be an even bigger problem, because it will hurt your productivity and possibly your bottom line. How to solve the problem? I believe that the most efficient way is to stop, think, and try to become more disciplined over time. If that is not working, however, you can try a small tool that I came across: KeepMeOut -As of 2024, the service is no longer in operational, but keep reading because I will provide you with alternatives.

The KeepMeOut Experience: Using The Tool

Setting up KeepMeOut was straightforward:

1. Enter the URL of the website you want to avoid.
2. Set the frequency of visits (for example, once every 60 minutes).
3. Create a bookmark for the generated KeepMeOut link.
4. Use this bookmark every time you want to visit the website. Simple but effective.

The tool was beneficial, offering digital self-control on a platter. However, there were downsides. Savvy users could bypass the block, and it relied heavily on user honesty and commitment.

I’m sure many of you have experienced the feeling of being sucked into the digital world, consumed by the never-ending cycle of scrolling through social media or playing video games for hours on end. It can be easy to get caught up in the convenience and entertainment the internet provides, but it’s important to remember that the internet can be addictive.

A study conducted few years ago revealed that 6% of the world’s population was struggling with internet addiction, and this was concerning since that time only 39% of the global population had access to the internet. Today you can imagine how rampant the problem is and might be affecting someone we know.

Getting Unaddicted to Technology – Discover a Life Unplugged

As someone who has struggled with internet addiction myself, I can tell you that breaking the habit can be tough. But it’s worth it! Here are some ways that have helped me in my journey to break free from internet addiction

Make a strict plan

Creating and sticking to a plan is key to breaking any habit, and internet addiction is no different. Setting specific times for when you will allow yourself to use the internet is essential for breaking this habit. You can do this by scheduling a time for logging on and a time for logging off.

For example, you might decide to only use the internet for an hour after dinner, or to only check social media once a day. Whatever your plan is, make sure it’s specific and that you follow it consistently. If possible, ask your partner or family members to be accountable and remind you in case you are diverting from your schedule. Doing this can help you manage your time more efficiently and make better progress towards meeting your goals of breaking an internet addiction.

Below is a sample schedule you can use to limit your on-screen hours. Notice how the hours have decreased to just over three throughout the day.

Remember to set limits on your internet usage and take breaks to engage in other activities. It’s also important to communicate with your family and friends about your goals to reduce your internet addiction, as they can support and encourage you in your efforts.

Socialize

One of the benefits of being online is the ability to connect with others, but it’s important to remember that there are other ways to socialize as well. Try to set aside time for face-to-face interaction with friends and family, whether it’s going for a walk, having a meal together, or just chatting.

Here’s how socializing is essential when it comes to breaking internet addiction.

• Socializing can provide a sense of connection and fulfillment that may be lacking when relying on the internet for social interaction.
• Spending time with others can help to take the focus off the internet and provide a distraction from the urge to spend excessive amounts of time online.
• Engaging in activities with others, such as sports, hobbies, or other shared interests, can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment that may be lacking when spending too much time on the internet.

Socialization provides an opportunity to engage with others without the distractions that come with being online; you get a chance to truly take in what someone else is saying and develop meaningful relationships.

Turn off notifications

Notifications can be a huge distraction, constantly pulling us back to our screens and away from our family and friends. We’re constantly bombarded with notifications, reminders, and alerts that pull us back in and keep us hooked.

To help break this internet addiction, the first step is to turn off notifications on all devices including phones, laptops, and tablets. Doing this will reduce the number of distractions we face throughout the day as notification alerts can often pull our attention away from more important tasks. To help break the cycle, it’s important to take turn off notifications that aren’t essential.

Turning off notifications helps to create a healthy balance between time spent online and time spent offline with friends or family. It takes away the temptation to go on social media when we receive an alert or message which helps us focus more on what matters in life rather than getting sucked into a cycle of scrolling through news feeds or checking emails every few minutes.

Change Communication Patterns

Many of us use the internet as our primary means of communication, so if you find yourself spending too much time online, it’s time to switch things up. Start calling or texting people instead of messaging them over the internet.

Also, try to limit your communication with others to specific times of the day, rather than being constantly available. Doing this mean setting aside specific times to check your emails or social media, rather than constantly refreshing these apps throughout the day.

Keep devices unavailable

For those trying to stop internet addiction, the most effective strategy is often the simplest: keep devices unavailable or out of reach. Putting aside devices that provide access to the internet such as laptops, and smartphones might be tricky, but it’s essential to keeping your internet addiction in check.

Here are two easy ways to do it.

• Keep devices out of reach: Consider keeping your devices in a place where they are not easily accessible, such as in a drawer or in a room that you don’t spend much time in.
• Create a designated device-free zone: Consider setting aside a specific area of your home where you will not use your devices, such as a bedroom or living room.

Additionally, those seeking to break their addiction can also delete social media apps from their phones or block certain websites on their computers. It is important to remember that breaking an addiction takes time, so do not be discouraged if your progress is slow.

Find activities outside

It’s important to realize that there is life outside of the internet and to find activities that can be enjoyed away from screens. Taking up a new hobby or engaging in physical activity are just some of the ways that people can break free from internet addiction. It may seem like finding something else to do apart from being online is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Starting small can make the process easier; reading a book or going for a walk are simple tasks that can bring enjoyment. Picking up an old hobby or starting something completely new could also help people focus their attention away from the internet and onto other things they enjoy doing in their free time.

Additionally, setting goals and tracking progress can help to keep individuals motivated and on track. By relearning how to pass the time without the internet, individuals can take back control of their lives and become more productive.

Use time-monitoring apps

Time-monitoring apps can provide insight into which websites are frequently visited, as well as show the total hours per day and week that have been spent browsing the web. They also provide other data that can be used to help recognize when addictive behavior begins and how it can be broken down into manageable steps to achieve a healthier balance between online and offline activities.

Additionally, they can provide insights into how much time is spent on certain applications, allowing users to gain awareness of their internet usage habits. With these insights, users can make informed decisions about where to cut back and adjust their behavior accordingly. Furthermore, many time monitoring apps have features such as notifications for when time limits are reached and pause functions, which can help create healthy habits and reduce internet addiction.

Some of the best time-tracking apps include

• Harvest.
• TimeCamp.
• Clockify.

Seek Therapy

Professional therapy can be an effective way of dealing with internet addiction, allowing individuals to take control of their online habits and break away from Internet addiction. Therapy helps people understand why they are struggling with compulsive use of the Internet and how to address it in healthy ways.

It also provides tools that can help individuals develop healthier relationships with technology, manage their time more effectively, and learn new coping mechanisms for stress or anxiety.

Therapy sessions may involve cognitive-behavioral interventions such as exploring new interests or activities outside the digital realm, developing goals that don’t involve technology, and learning how to manage triggers that lead to excessive internet use.

Looking Beyond KeepMeOut: Alternative Tools

With KeepMeOut currently inactive, it’s essential to explore other digital productivity tools:

• StayFocusd
  StayFocusd is a Google Chrome extension designed to limit your time on distracting websites. You list the sites that distract you and set a daily time limit for them. Once you’ve used up your time, the extension blocks those sites for the rest of the day. You can customize active days and hours, and choose to block entire sites or specific content. A ‘Nuclear Option’ blocks all listed sites for a certain period, regardless of your daily limit. The downsides? It’s only for Chrome, and you can technically bypass it by switching browsers or devices. Ultimately, it’s a useful tool, but you’re still responsible for your own productivity.
• SelfControl
  SelfControl is a productivity app available for macOS users. It lets you block access to distracting websites, mail servers, or anything else on the internet. You set a period of time, add websites to your “blacklist” and start the timer. During that time, you can’t access those sites, even if you restart your computer or delete the application. It’s an effective, no-nonsense tool for those who want to eliminate distractions and focus on work. However, it’s only available for macOS users, and like any tool, it’s most effective when used with discipline and commitment to productivity.

These alternative tools operate similarly to KeepMeOut, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Here is a comparison:

The pros of StayFocusd include its high level of customization and the ability to set active hours. The cons are its exclusivity to Google Chrome and the potential for users to bypass the restrictions.

For SelfControl, the pros include a complete block of distracting sites that cannot be bypassed, even by deleting the app or restarting the system. However, the cons are that it’s available only for macOS, and it lacks the ability to set active hours.

Keep in mind that Internet addiction is a rapidly growing phenomenon that has serious implications on the mental and physical health of a person. The negative effects of excessive internet use on our relationships are clear, and it is up to each of us to make the conscious decision to prioritize our offline lives and well-being.

I encourage you to take a step back and assess your own internet usage. Are you spending too much time online, and neglecting your responsibilities or relationships because of your internet habits? If so, it is time to make a change. Don’t wait until it is too late to address this issue.

There are many helpful resources out there to help you on your journey. Don’t hesitate any longer, act now and take control of your life.