one sec Browser Extension

Mindlessly switching tabs? No more!

Are you ending up on YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, … on your computer all the time? Getting distracted from your tasks? With the new free “one sec” Browser Extension you’ll have much more control over your impulsive surfing behavior. 

Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Edge

Don’t forbid! Delay!

one sec works so great because it doesn’t forbid you to use apps and websites. It makes it more annoying. That way you’ll effortlessly change your habits.

Friction added by one sec has two main effects:

  • You get aware of your actions and can then make conscious decisions: did you really want to open YouTube right now or was that just a reflex? With one sec installed, you will be surprised how many times you open distracting websites.
  • Re-program your subconscious brain: distracting websites are always a quick click away to escape your problems. With one sec installed, that’s not so quick anymore. Over time, your brain will adapt and learn that websites are no longer a great way to escape your tasks.

These effects have been confirmed in a scientific study by the Max Planck Institute and University of Heidelberg: Usage of distracting apps and websites drops by 57% on average.

Learn more

Available Features

Development for the Browser Extension just started recently. We are working hard to add new features with every update.

Breathing Intervention

one sec detects when you open distracting websites and intervenes with a breathing exercise. Only after can you decide if you still want to continue to the target website.

Customization

Customize the intervention to suite your needs: you can change the phrase that’s displayed during the breathing exercise and can modify the duration of the intervention.

First Class Privacy Protection

one sec processes all data locally, on-device, and offline. There are no accounts, no cloud, no profiling.

Statistics

one sec offers insights into your usage patterns of apps. You can see how many times you’ve already opened a particular website in the last 24 hours, and in total.

Intentional Website Switching

Sometimes it’s necessary to leave social media and quickly switch between apps: to check contact info, a note, or a location on Google Maps. This feature allows you to leave the target website for up to 5 minutes and return without an additional intervention.

Backed by Science

The positive effects of one sec were shown by a recent study conducted in cooperation with the University of Heidelberg and Max Planck Institute, one of Germany’s leading research institutes: website usage has dropped by 57% thanks to one sec.

…more coming soon!

We are excited to share new features for the Browser Extension soon!

Browser Compatibility

one sec is available for all major web browsers:

  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Opera
  • Opera GX
  • Brave
  • Arc

Learn how to install one sec from your browser’s extension store in the tutorial linked below. Browser extensions work cross-platform on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Installation Tutorial 〉

macOS App

I also offer a native macOS app which bundles the Safari Extension. On top of that, it allows intervening native apps, such as Slack or Twitter and syncing settings with the iPhone app. You can install it via the Mac AppStore.