I’m weirdly excited about Android 17’s upcoming anti-doomscrolling feature

Google previewed Pause Point for Android 17 at Android Show 2026.

The feature adds a short delay before opening selected apps, making impulsive scrolling harder to start.

It aims to curb doomscrolling by adding friction at the moment users reflexively launch distracting apps.

Unlike timers that act after use begins, Pause Point interrupts the habit before Instagram, X, and similar apps open.