Building Better Digital Habits

By June Ramli

Sydney, Feb 23: Technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives, but its constant presence can lead to digital distractions that impact focus, productivity, and well-being. While many solutions focus on short-term fixes like app blockers or digital detoxes, LiVELY takes a different approach—helping users build sustainable digital habits through neuroscience and behavioral psychology.
Founded by Rinat Strahlhofer, a former telecom executive, LiVELY was born out of both professional insights and personal experiences with screen addiction.
As a parent, Strahlhofer saw how digital distractions affected relationships and mental health. Professionally, she witnessed how tech companies prioritized engagement over user well-being. She realized that technology should serve people, not control them.
In an exclusive interview with DailyStraits.com, Strahlhofer shares the journey behind LiVELY, the challenges of building a tool that promotes digital balance, and how the app is reshaping the conversation around screen time in homes, schools, and workplaces.

What inspired you to create LiVELY?

LiVELY was inspired by both my personal and professional experiences. Having worked in telecom marketing, I witnessed how technology was designed to keep us engaged, often prioritising industry goals over our well-being. The constant drive for engagement made me realise that there had to be a better way.
On a personal level, as a parent, I noticed how digital distractions were affecting not just kids but adults too. Families were struggling to connect, and I was seeing the impact on relationships, mental health, and productivity. Despite knowing better, I found myself trapped in the cycle of endless scrolling.
The idea for LiVELY came from the belief that technology doesn’t need to control us—it should serve us. Rather than just asking people to “put their phones down,” I wanted to create a tool that helps people take control of their tech use in a way that’s intentional and sustainable. LiVELY empowers users to build healthier, more balanced relationships with technology, making it a tool that works for them, not the other way around.

Can you share the journey from idea to launch?

The idea for LiVELY began with a simple question: What if we used tech to help people manage tech? From there, I delved into habit science, behavioural psychology, and neuroscience to understand how people form and break digital habits. My team and I spent two years researching how to make digital well-being engaging rather than restrictive.
We tested the app with early adopters, refined its habit tracking system, and developed a personalised, science backed approach that could retrain the brain for healthier digital habits. After thorough testing, we quietly launched LiVELY in October 2024, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Now, we are expanding into corporate wellness, education, and community programs, making digital well-being more accessible to those who need it most.

What problem are you trying to solve with LiVELY?

Digital distractions are one of the biggest challenges of modern life, impacting focus, productivity, relationships, sleep, and mental health. The current approach, like blocking apps or using “Do Not Disturb,” offers short-term fixes but doesn’t teach people how to manage technology effectively.
LiVELY offers a different approach:

• Break the cycle of endless scrolling and constant notifications
• Rebuild focus and productivity without needing to quit tech
• Strengthen relationships by being more present offline
• Sleep better by improving nighttime digital habits

Rather than simply limiting screen time, we help people rewire their brains for long-term balance—using neuroscience and habit formation techniques to create lasting change.

How did you go about building the app?

LiVELY was built by combining science, technology, and user psychology to create a digital wellness tool that is engaging and effective. We began with deep research into neuroplasticity, habit formation, and digital addiction, collaborating with app developers and UX designers to build a scientifically backed product focused on long-term behaviour change.
Key features include real-time personalisation, gamification for motivation, and evidence-based habit techniques. LiVELY adapts to users’ behaviours, offering challenges, streaks, and rewards to keep them engaged and motivated. The app is designed to help users reclaim their focus, productivity, and well-being without requiring them to quit technology altogether.
We identified six areas where digital distractions disrupt everyday life: focus, sleep, self-care, relationships, family time, and digital safety. LiVELY addresses these with science-backed solutions to foster healthier tech habits.
The app also translates science into action by guiding users through small, meaningful habit changes that build over time. Each habit challenge within LiVELY is rooted in behavioural science, helping users rewire their brains and establish healthier tech habits that actually stick. Unlike other tools that rely on one-time motivation, LiVELY creates sustained engagement, ensuring users experience the benefits of mindful, intentional tech use.

What challenges did you face in the development process?

The main challenges in developing LiVELY included making habit change stick, as many apps focus on temporary detoxes, but we needed to create something sustainable. We also had to balance engagement without making it “just another app” by ensuring the tool helped people use tech better rather than adding to screen time. Additionally, we built real-time habit recommendations with adaptive tracking that adjusts to users’ progress.

How much was the initial investment, and how did you secure funding?

LiVELY was self-funded initially, with additional support from R&D grants and private investment. We’ve since begun exploring private equity and strategic partnerships to scale our impact.  

Do you have a business partner or co-founders?

No, LiVELY is my vision and passion. However, I’ve been fortunate to work with an amazing team of advisors, developers, and experts who have played a crucial role in bringing it to life.

What has been the biggest learning experience in launching LiVELY?

Awareness doesn’t always lead to action. While people know they should manage their screen time, the real challenge is making it happen. That’s why LiVELY focuses on habit change, rather than guilt or restrictions.

How many users does LiVELY currently have?

We’ve had over 178 users in our early-stage launch, with strong engagement and retention metrics showing that LiVELY is truly making an impact.  

What strategies have been most effective in growing your user base?  

Referrals and word-of-mouth have been key, with users eager to share their progress.

Who is your target audience, and how have they responded?

Our target audience includes parents and students managing digital habits at home, small businesses and corporates integrating digital well-being into the workplace, and young professionals aiming to boost focus and productivity. 
The response to LiVELY has been very positive, with users seeing real improvements in focus, productivity, sleep, and digital balance. The data shows that people are engaging with habit-building challenges and making real progress in managing their relationship with technology:

• Focus & Productivity: Increased by 21 per cent within 28 days. Users who persisted past the critical Day 15 mark saw steady improvement, highlighting the importance of continued support in habit-building.
• Confidence in Managing Digital Habits: Increased by 36 per cent, showing that small, consistent changes lead to greater control over digital lives.
• Sleep Improvement: A 26.1 per cent improvement by Day 28, with 21.7 per cent of that improvement observed by Day 6. This demonstrates that even small actions, like reducing screen time before bed, can have an immediate impact.

How does LiVELY help Australians manage digital distractions?

LiVELY helps Australians manage digital distractions by offering habit-based challenges, neuroscience-backed education, and real-time feedback. This combination empowers users to take control of their digital habits, helping them reduce distractions and build healthier relationships with technology.

What are some of the key features of the app that promote focus and well-being?

The app promotes focus and well-being through personalised habit tracking, streaks and challenges, neuroscience-based education, and tailored habit recommendations.

Why is it important to address the root causes of digital distractions rather than just the symptoms?

Digital distractions are at an all-time high, impacting mental health, productivity, and relationships. Unmanaged tech use, like constant notifications and late-night scrolling, can have long-term negative effects. While bans and restrictions might help short-term, they don’t teach lasting habits, or the skills needed to manage screen time effectively.
With the rise of AI and algorithm-driven content, it’s easier than ever to lose control of screen time. Social media platforms are designed to keep us engaged, and even adults can struggle to regulate this. Australians need to develop the skills to use technology intentionally and in ways that work for them.

How do you measure the success of LiVELY in improving digital habits?

We measure success by tracking user habit formation and improvement over 28 days, their confidence in managing digital distractions, and overall improvements in focus, sleep, relationships, and well-being.

How is LiVELY working with parents and schools to foster better digital literacy?

We’re in talks with schools, universities, and parent networks to integrate LiVELY’s digital literacy into education.  

What role do educators play in integrating LiVELY into learning environments?

Educators are key in developing digital literacy and self-regulation skills in students—and that’s where LiVELY fits in, much like subjects such as math and science.
In today’s world, we teach students how to manage finances through math, communicate through literacy, and understand the world through science—but digital literacy is equally vital. Technology is now a fundamental part of life, learning, and work. Just as we don’t expect students to learn algebra independently, we can’t expect them to navigate the digital world without guidance.
LiVELY helps educators bridge this gap by teaching students how to use technology intentionally, fostering lifelong digital habits that support focus, well-being, and balance.
How educators can use LiVELY in schools:

• Integrate Digital Well-being into the Curriculum: Just as study skills and time management are taught, LiVELY helps students manage digital distractions and stay focused.
• Support Students in Building Digital Discipline: LiVELY offers practical, science-backed tools to help students form better digital habits, reduce screen time, and improve real-world interactions.
• Improve Academic Performance and Mental Well-being: With 28% of users choosing Focus & Productivity habits, data shows that students want to improve their attention span. LiVELY provides the tools to help them do so.
• Prepare Students for the Workforce: With digital distractions costing businesses millions in lost productivity, helping students master digital self-regulation gives them a competitive advantage for future careers.

By integrating LiVELY into education, we equip students with the skills to control technology—just as essential as math, literacy, and critical thinking in today’s world.

How can parents support their children in developing sustainable digital habits?

Parents can support their children in developing sustainable digital habits by leading by example and modelling mindful screen use. Encouraging small, consistent changes to their digital routines, rather than imposing strict bans, can make a lasting impact. Setting clear boundaries for screen time and creating device-free zones, like no phones at dinner, also helps establish healthy habits. Additionally, parents should educate their children about digital safety, guiding them to develop responsible online behaviours.

Have you collaborated with any schools or institutions on digital well-being programs?

We are currently in discussions with NSW universities to run pilot programs.

How do you envision LiVELY evolving in the next few years?

LiVELY is evolving beyond an app into a movement focused on reshaping digital well-being, productivity, mental health, road safety, and lifestyle habits like nutrition. In the coming years, we are expanding into corporate wellness and education. Businesses are increasingly recognising the challenge of digital distractions, and LiVELY is helping companies improve work-life balance, tackle digital burnout, and reclaim productivity by incorporating science-backed practices into wellness programs. In schools and universities, LiVELY is working to equip students with the digital self-regulation skills they need to focus, build resilience, and develop healthy habits from a young age. We are also exploring partnerships with mental health organisations and government initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of digital well-being, especially in the workplace and education sectors.

Are there any upcoming features or expansions you’re working on?

We’re integrating with road safety initiatives to help drivers break the automatic habit of checking their phones while driving. This aligns with the “Towards Zero” campaigns pushed by governments and organisations, aiming to reduce road accidents related to mobile phone use. We’re working closely with government and transport authorities to promote habit-based digital safety education and partnering with corporate fleet teams to integrate digital wellness into road safety policies.
We’re also exploring how tech consumption relates to wellness, much like how we consider food and nutrition. Just as we carefully choose what we eat, we often mindlessly consume digital content without considering its impact. LiVELY is looking into how we can help people create healthier digital “diets”—regulating screen time and making more mindful content choices. This cross-over between wellness, tech, and nutrition will lead to a more balanced lifestyle.
Looking ahead, LiVELY is redefining how we engage with technology in all areas, from road safety to mental health and productivity. This approach isn’t about disconnection or restriction, but about empowering individuals to strike the right balance.

What are the biggest misconceptions about digital distractions and social media use?

That screen time itself is the problem. It’s how we use technology, not just how much.  

How do you balance technology’s benefits with its potential downsides?

The key is to move from passive consumption to mindful engagement. This means setting boundaries, like creating device-free zones and scheduling time for offline activities. It’s also important to recognise when tech is enhancing productivity and when it becomes a distraction.

What advice do you have for young Australians struggling with screen time management?

Start by setting small, intentional tech-free moments each day. Use technology with purpose and make it a habit. It’s not about screen-shaming or quitting—it’s about finding balance