A new smartphone app rewards college students for not using their mobile devices in class.
A computer science major and a business marketing major launched Pocket Points last fall from the Chico campus of California State University, according to a news release. The free app, available for iPhone and Android devices, was downloaded more than 22,000 times within the first six months.
Blaine Hill, a junior journalism major at Texas Tech, received an email with a link to Pocket Points, created an account and has been using the app ever since.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea because I have a problem of not paying attention in class, and this actually really helps me,” Hill said. “It’s actually forcing me to pay attention, and I’ve noticed a difference. I’ll catch more things in class because I’m not constantly looking at my phone and opening it up even when there’s nothing there.”
Blaine Hill, a junior journalism major, is a fan of Pocket Points. Natalie Morales/The Hub@TTU.
The app works only on campus, Hill said, and the amount of time one’s phone stays locked is directly proprotional to the number of points earned. Pocket Points also has a “Double Points Tuesday” incentive.
The more students are using the app, the more points each user earns.
“Usually, whenever you open it, you can see how many people are using it, and their profile pictures will pop up,” Hill said. “The more profile pictures that pop up, you know you’re going to get more points.”
The earned points can be applied toward discounts at local and national businesses partnered with Pocket Points.
“There’s one for Jimmy Johns; you can get a free drink and a free cookie if you get a certain amount of points,” Hill said. “At Domino’s you can get like 30 percent off or buy-one-get-one-free pizza.”
Pocket Points rewards students for not using their phone while in class. Natalie Morales/The Hub@TTU
Pocket Points promotes itself through social media. Hill recalled sitting in class once with her phone locked ,when she received an app alert saying she would earn bonus points if she followed and tweeted Pocket Points. She tweeted the company between classes, and Pocket Points favorited her tweet.
Claire Criss, a junior public relations major, also loves Pocket Points and uses it daily. She has been using it for the last few weeks, ever since her sorority sisters told her about it. At first, she thought it was too good to be true.
“But I looked into it, and it’s really great,” she said.
Criss has not experienced any app glitches so far. The only catch, she said, is that you have to use each coupon in store.
“So if you want to buy a pizza online, you can’t use it online,” Criss said.
The rewards can be used for other types of online shopping. Criss has not tried this yet, she said, but she knows about the options.
Natalie Morales/The Hub@TTU
“It basically gives you a little code,” Criss said. “Whenever you go to check out and it says use a discount code, I think it just gives you one of those.”
Criss used to be on her phone frequently during classes, but Pocket Points helped her break the habit.
“I don’t even look at my phone now,” she said. “I just put it in my bag because I want to get those points.”
Both Hill and Criss said not many people know about the app yet, but its popularity is likely to rise.
“I don’t think it’s that they’re not interested or they don’t want it,” Criss said. “I think it’s really spreading through word of mouth.”
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