Your Personal Bully: A Chrome Extension That Keeps You Focused

Have you ever struggled with procrastination, repeatedly visiting distracting websites despite your best intentions? A new Chrome extension called Your Personal Bully takes a unique approach to solving this problem—by mocking users who try to access blocked sites.

How It Works

The extension allows users to create a list of websites they want to avoid. When someone attempts to visit one of these sites, instead of simply blocking access, the extension displays humorous but cutting insults aimed at shaming the user into closing the tab.

• Customizable blocking list for any websites
• Database of hundreds of sarcastic insults and motivational put-downs
• Option to increase insult severity based on repeated attempts
• Tracking of how many times you've been "bullied" away from distractions

The Psychology Behind the Approach

Developers of Your Personal Bully explain that traditional website blockers often fail because users can simply disable them. By adding an emotional component—the sting of being mocked—the extension creates a stronger psychological deterrent.

"It turns out most people would rather avoid being called a 'spineless time-waster' than see another cat video," says lead developer Mark Ronson. "The insults are designed to be funny enough that you'll share them with friends, but pointed enough to actually modify behavior."

User Experiences

Early adopters report mixed but promising results:

• 78% reduction in visits to blocked sites after two weeks
• 15% of users requested even harsher insults
• Some users found it too effective—"Now I'm afraid to open Chrome at all"

The extension includes options to adjust intensity, from gentle teasing to brutal honesty. There's also a "safe word" feature that temporarily disables the bullying for genuine needs.

While not for everyone, Your Personal Bully offers a novel solution for those who respond better to negative reinforcement in their battle against online distractions.