We are a small, independent team led by indie developer Frederik Riedel, the creator of the one sec app. We’re not affiliated with a major corporation or financed by any Silicon Valley giant.
On the contrary: we’re just regular people.
Founder/Creator of one sec and iOS Developer
All my social media apps are gated by one sec (I can’t use social media without it anymore). The Re-Intervention also helps me tremendously to resist scrolling Reels. The “Good Morning Countdown” is great for helping me avoid reaching for my phone first thing in the morning.
I also use the browser extension on my computer for social media, YouTube, and online news.
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear
Our mission at one sec is to help people worldwide become aware of how, when, and why they consume social media, and to assist them in actively managing their consumption.
User Experience Designer
“I use one sec for both YouTube and Instagram. Instagram is almost entirely blocked for me — which is exactly what I needed.
For YouTube, I use specific filters to start my morning yoga sessions without getting caught up in endless videos.”
Spirit Animal: Fox
one sec provides users with specific tools to counteract addictive algorithms and the negative impacts of excessive consumption on (mental) health.
Customer Support
I try to use social media only in the evenings and solely for its intended purpose of interacting with friends, avoiding Reels and similar content. To support this, I really enjoy using the Block Schedule and the re-intervention feature from one sec.
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear
The German Federal Agency for Child and Youth Media Protection (BZKJ) supports our mission with funding. As part of this collaborative project, we created the Spirit Animal Quiz.
We’re all true fans of one sec ourselves and use the app daily to approach social media more mindfully.
Social Media Content / Marketing
My biggest challenge used to be scrolling through social media before bedtime. However, setting up a block schedule a few hours before sleep has significantly improved my sleep quality. As an added bonus, I now spend this time much more often reading, which is incredibly enriching!
Spirit Animal: Fox
Scientific Director
Anyone who wants to develop healthy usage habits must first gain a better understanding of themselves. That’s why I first took the time to become aware of how I use social media, so I could then decide which habits to let go of and which to develop. The one sec interventions have been very helpful for me in this process. For example, I sometimes spend too much time on Twitter, but I believe tweeting itself can be very useful. The re-intervention from one sec helps me stay on Twitter consciously, only for as long as it truly makes sense.
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear
User Experience Designer
“I’ve set specific “homes” for my phone at work and at home — I only use it in these spots.
Along with one sec, this prevents me from constantly reaching for it.”
Spirit Animal: Fox
Web Developer
“Through “learning by doing,” I realized, thanks to one sec interventions, that I genuinely enjoy real social connections and outdoor activities much more than constant digital entertainment.”
Spirit Animal: Cat
Illustrator
“I try to use social media mainly as inspiration and a networking tool for my work as an illustrator.
In times when I’m not feeling mentally well, one sec is very helpful for preventing endless scrolling as a distraction. I’ve also disabled notifications from social networks.”
Spirit Animal: Cat
Android Developer
Ich versuche meinen Konsum von Social Media zeitlich begrenzt und bewusst zu gestalten, um nicht jede freie Minute mit dessen Informationsrauschen zu füllen.
Spirit Animal: Lion
Backend Developer
I often use Twitter as an information source for tech trends, developer topics, and staying up-to-date. one sec helps me keep track of my time and avoid distractions—especially during compilation times in my developer job, when the temptation is often strong.
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear
Copywriter
”Simply tracking my daily opening attempts over 1.5 years of using one sec has become a powerful awareness tool. It shows me how I’m feeling and how much I’m unconsciously compensating with social media, prompting me to reflect on what’s really going on inside.
The app helps me avoid doom-scrolling by setting a specific time limit and using Re-Interventions to “eject” me.“
Spirit Animal: Cat
Quality Assurance / Customer Support / Community Manager / Blogger
I primarily use social media privately for communication, entertainment, and learning. However, for work, I’m also active on various platforms: I test new one sec features, respond to user comments, and research topics for blog articles. This means I’m almost always online. To limit this, I use a variety of settings: I’ve blocked all apps (except music streaming) during sleep time and the first hour after waking up. Notifications are only delivered in batches at set times of the day (4x), which helps prevent additional distractions. Additionally, all social media apps are removed from my home screen, and I’ve made it a habit to open them only via the search function. To avoid getting lost in them, I rely on one sec’s re-intervention feature. When I’m out and about, I often leave my phone at home or simply keep it in my bag, as my smartwatch is internet-enabled, allowing me to stay reachable.
Spirit Animal: Monkey
Customer Support
In the evenings, I avoid TikTok and Reels by watching longer YouTube videos instead. I also always keep a book on my nightstand to make it as easy as possible to pick it up and start reading—this way, I don’t even have to get up to grab it.
Spirit Animal: Cat
Android Developer
I try to use social media as purposefully and thematically as possible, for example, Instagram for educational topics or X for current news. Once one sec has all its features available for Android, I’m sure I’ll use it even more extensively!
Spirit Animal: Polar Bear