Designed to Rush: Why Every App Wants You to Hurry, and How You Can Rethink the Idea of Speed

Abstract

This article examines how mobile apps and digital platforms embed values about speed, efficiency, and productivity into their design, shaping how teenage users understand what makes time “well spent.” It argues that speed is only part of the story: the same platforms also rely on automation and data-driven algorithms that decide what fills users’ attention, turning that attention into a product. Drawing on design theory and classical rhetoric, the article introduces the concept of deliberative restraint as an alternative to the “move fast” ideology of Silicon Valley and offers concrete practices for putting it to use. Rather than advocating for digital abstinence, the article equips readers with critical questions to recognize when design choices prioritize velocity over reflection, helping them make more intentional decisions about their relationship with technology.