# Please share hacks, apps, or software that stop wasting time on the Internet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 26, 2018, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151 "2018-04-26T09:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/1 "2018-04-26T09:38:01Z")
I tried the low-tech way of asking a friend to change my Facebook password, so I could not log in again unless I asked her. I lasted two weeks… Also, I’d like to stop my addiction to CNN ( TrumpTrumpTrumptrumptr…) And I’d really like my computer to kick me off to bed at 22.00 hours. Nothing good or useful happens at my computer after 22.00 hours during weeknights. Anyone have tips, tricks that can be installed on a regular computer ( so no tablet of phone) by a non-techie? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/2 "2018-04-26T10:08:43Z")
You could put your monitor on a timer switch. 🙂 And there’s always the OFF switch. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/3 "2018-04-26T10:36:29Z")
[Moderating] Moved from CS to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/4 "2018-04-26T12:58:02Z")
I use [LeechBlock](http://www.proginosko.com/leechblock/), an extension for Firefox. I probably wouldn’t have finished grad school on time without it… You can set it to block or limit your time on certain websites, based on time of day or whatever. I have it set to only allow 10 minutes per hour during the day, or 30 minutes per hour in the evenings. I think there are also options to set a password to keep you from disabling it. Frankly though, if it’s on your computer there’s nothing stopping you from getting around it one way or another. It’s best used to remind you to find a better way to spend your time. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/5 "2018-04-26T13:33:35Z")
Pick a chore you don’t much fancy, like say, ironing. Set up the ironing board, iron and stack of ironing to do. Now the bargain is you have to do 20 minutes of ironing before you get to go online again. It WILL act as a delay and/or deterrent, if you stick to it. (Bonus: your least favourite chore is also getting done! Win/Win!) Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/6 "2018-04-26T13:56:08Z")
I don’t really see a solution that couldn’t be worked around if you’re really that addicted. You say changing password on FB didn’t work. Why? If you found a workaround (begging, doing a password reset through email, etc.), then you have a real problem. You could change your FB email to hers to prevent a password change, but then you could just make another FB account. The closest thing I can think of for time management is to make a limited user in windows that cannot install applications or change any major settings. Then have her be an administrator that can install nannyware and put in parental controls. This of course, assumes you can’t beg her out of that. If that’s the case, you’re hopeless. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/7 "2018-04-26T13:58:34Z")
These are all things you can do through your router. You can have it shut down the internet at a certain time and you can have it block websites. However, you’ll have to have someone else change the router password so you can’t undo it and you’ll have to have the self control to not just use your phone. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/8 "2018-04-26T14:02:26Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > These are all things you can do through your router. You can have it shut down the internet at a certain time and you can have it block websites. However, you’ll have to have someone else change the router password so you can’t undo it and you’ll have to have the self control to not just use your phone. Until he does a hard reset on his router… ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/9 "2018-04-26T14:34:37Z")
All of the "unless"es point up the root problem: you can’t force you. There is no such thing as a fool-proof way to prevent you from using the resources you have physical and administrative control of. (Even the most secure methods can be defeated by physical access, something every system administrator learns the hard way.) I don’t think you can win until you aren’t fighting yourself any more on this. Make the decision wholeheartedly and completely, or don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/10 "2018-04-26T15:06:13Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Until he does a hard reset on his router… Yeah, some of this involves self control. He could also just browse on his phone, grab a neighbors wifi or set up his phone as a hotspot. Even things like putting the monitor or router on a timer work on the assumption that he won’t get up, go over to his router and get rid of the timer. My suggestion for setting up the router to restrict him and having someone else change the password was done in hopes that he’d be able to wait until morning to get on the internet instead of reprogramming his router 10 at night. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/11 "2018-04-26T15:21:29Z")
I’m also wondering why the OP is asking for a “low-tech” solution to the problem. He is either using high tech solutions to get around it, or low tech (e.g. begging). The lowest tech solution would be to sell the computer. You could do all of the above, then physically lock up the router and computer, but then we’re getting into an insanely absurd territory, where outside “help” might be a better option. ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/12 "2018-04-26T16:38:35Z")
I’ll put in another recommendation for LeechBlock. Yes, it can be bypassed, but it breaks the current stream and takes a couple of extra steps to undo. It’s long enough to remind you why you’re doing it and reduces your dependence on will alone. When has that ever worked on a bad habit? I used it effectively for a few years. Unfortunately, I can’t find a Chrome equivalent that works as well, and I’m pretty invested in all things Google. Which reminds me, I have things to do. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/13 "2018-04-26T16:41:47Z")
Thanks for the Leechblock recommandation, that sounds like what I was looking for. blockage does not need to be ironclad: i just need some thing that makes it less easy " to slide down the rabbit hole" https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tc-BEc7SMXk?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PL2RZlL_hemmnqBmPsZRudArGNlHMTozbV ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/14 "2018-04-26T20:32:06Z")
Go see a therapist about your addiction. Very low-techie. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/15 "2018-04-26T22:06:09Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Go see a therapist about your addiction. Very low-techie. Or take up alcohol. Take a ton of shots of booze until you get sleepy. Then go to bed. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-share-hacks-apps-or-software-that-stop-wasting-time-on-the-internet/813151/16 "2018-04-26T22:13:08Z")
An app/hack/software to \*not \*waste time on the internet…Does not compute.