College students spend approximately nine hours on their phones daily, according to a 2014 Baylor University study. Pocket Points, a new app that targets college students across the country, is attempting to change this fact.
Rob Richardson, creator of the app and computer science major at Chico State University in Northern California, realized smartphone usage was becoming a problem when he looked around his class and saw everyone glued to their phones. Richardson’s idea for Pocket Points evolved from an extra credit-based incentive program to a more commercial product .
Using the app, students accumulate points by locking their phones. On average, students earn roughly three points per class that their phone is locked, double on 2x Tuesday. These points may be redeemed at participating businesses, both local and online, for discounted goods and services.
The number of points students can earn is dependent on how many students have downloaded the app on their campus, according to Hill Ray, a Pocket Points campus representative. The more downloads there are, the more points students can accumulate at a faster pace. Currently, 3,590 people, or 20 percent of the Ole Miss campus, have downloaded the app,
Ray said the primary goal of this app is to offer students a reason to be off their phones.
“It’s all about the students. This app ultimately gives them the incentive to get better grades,” Ray said. “Because the more time you spend off your phone, the more you pay attention and the more points you will then accumulate.”
Local businesses work closely with the campus representative to determine which discounts and coupons will be most effective. Current participating businesses in Oxford include Miss Behavin, Frock Fashions, Campus Book Mart, GNC, Sunsations, Sam’s Cell Phones, Round Table, The Corner, El Milagro’s, Rebel Barn, Tutti Frutti, Yaya’s, 6 N’ Tubbs Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings and Pita Pit. Pita Pit co-owner Cody Ashworth said the new partnership with Pocket Points benefits both businesses and students.
“Since partnering with Pocket Points, we’ve definitely seen some new faces,” Ashworth said. “On average, we get about two-to-three customers a day using Pocket Points, but we’d always like to see more.”
Since its creation, Pocket Points has reached over two hundred schools in the United States and Canada. Because of its expanding popularity, Pocket Points is looking to involve energetic and driven students to help spread the word. Ray said she hopes to get more students at Ole Miss involved by collaborating with various marketing clubs and other student organizations on campus.
“It’s about encouraging students to use the app,” Ray said. “We want students to get involved because not only does it help us, but it’s a great learning experience for them as well.”
Senior accounting major Yuki Pan recently discovered the app, but still has mixed feelings about it.
“I think it’s a great idea, but I don’t think I would take full advantage of its resources because I usually forget to use it,” Pan said.
Christopher Newman, assistant professor of marketing, agrees smartphone usage is an issue and said he thinks Pocket Points could encourage his students to put their phones away.
“Not only do students who are on their phones in class miss out on important material, but other students who are trying to pay attention can also be negatively affected,” Newman said. “It’s an innovative concept that creates a win-win scenario for students, most importantly, encouraging them to be more engaged with the class material.”
