MindGuard

One of the biggest problems while studying is discipline. MindGuard takes that out of the equation by annoying users out of doomscrolling and lost productivity.

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Inspiration

  • Personal experience with reel addiction and how it negatively affects focus, studying, and productivity
  • Wanted to design a simple, practical solution to help people stay disciplined and limit screen distractions
  • Combined ideas from digital well-being tools and physical accountability systems

What it does

  • Locks your phone in a timed box while you study or work to prevent doom-scrolling
  • Connects with a Chrome extension that tracks your computer activity
  • Provides productivity feedback based on which websites or tabs are active
  • Encourages intentional study sessions with both digital and physical reinforcement Lock your phone in a box when you need to study so that you don’t doom scroll or be distracted. Also links to a chrome extension to track what you are doing on your computer so that you are on track.

Accomplishments

  • Learned and applied JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build a functioning Chrome extension
  • Successfully created a hardware–software prototype integrating phone lockbox and extension
  • Built a user-friendly interface that tracks and displays productivity stats
  • Overcame initial challenges to produce a working demo within hackathon time limits Learning how to design and wire various components (e.g., speaker, servo, ultrasonic sensor) to an ESP32 with limited port availability. Learning how to communicate between software and hardware stacks by sending HTTP packets. Created a working prototype with real-world functionality.

Challenges

  • Debugging Chrome extension permissions and synchronizing data between extension and hardware
  • Designing the communication link between physical box and software tracker
  • Managing time constraints while balancing design, coding, and presentation
  • Ensuring privacy while tracking browsing data responsibly

What did you learn?

  • How to develop and publish a Chrome extension from scratch
  • Practical skills in frontend development and UI design
  • The importance of hardware–software integration for real-world usability
  • Value of team collaboration, time management, and iterative problem-solving during a hackathon
  • Insight into how behavioral design can promote focus and self-control
  • Time management

Future steps

AI-Powered Distraction Blocking

  • Dynamically detects when you’re doomscrolling and blocks those sites in real time. Focus Analytics Dashboard showing:
  • Time spent focusing
  • Distraction attempts
  • Productivity report
  • Gamification & Rewards System to motivate users (badges, streaks, leaderboard). Machine learning in predicting when you’re most likely to get distracted from past usage and recommend ideal focus times.

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