Pocket Points is a fairly new app that revolutionizes a solution to the smartphone addiction students just cannot seem to kick. When Pocket Points launched at Mississippi State University over a year ago, most students had never expected an app to reward them for staying off their smartphones during class. Pocket Points, however, aims to do just that.
          In order to incentivize students, Pocket Points partners with a multitude of local and web-based companies to provide discounts and gifts, which can be redeemed through points students earn through the app. The app offers MSU students discounts at over 80 locations, such as Insomnia Cookies, Juva Juice, Lulu’s and more.
   Junior microbiology major Lauren Brown said Pocket Points has benefitted her in class.
     “Pocket points helps me pay attention more in class and earn better grades because I’m not on my phone, and I get to earn rewards in the process,” Brown said.
  Points are rewarded when using the app. Students must be on campus, then they simply open the app and lock their phone. Pocket Points times how long the phone is untouched, and points are provided based on the amount of time recorded. The app also increases the rate at which points are given when more people across campus are using the app. 
 To redeem points, students must select the “gift” option from the left side of the screen. Once selected, the app will show an option of categories with the topmost two being online and local. If redeeming from a local business, all students have to do is select the business page on the app, show the app to the business and the business will help them receive their discount. 
  If students wish to redeem points through an online company, Pocket Points allows them to do so directly through the app. Once a store is selected, students will see a “gifts” tab and a “more” tab. Through the “more” tab, students can bookmark their favorite stores or go directly to the store’s website. When a student is ready to redeem their online points, they simply select which gift option they are using, and an email will be sent to them with a promotional code for the website.
 
  Victoria Nielson, a senior marketing major, said Pocket Points is extremely beneficial for students, not only for learning but for discounts as well. 
 “Pocket points really encourages me not to use my phone in class,” Nielson said. “I know phones are already a distraction, but when I know my Pocket Points are on, I don’t want to take out my phone in class. I’ve used my Pocket Points on discounts in stores and for free cookies, all because I didn’t take out my phone in class. I think it’s a pretty sweet deal.”
   Co-founder Mitch Gardner explained that Pocket Points is beneficial to students in more ways than one. 
   “I think that it’s beneficial in multiple parts,” Gardner said. “Staying focused in class, hopefully getting better grades and saving money.”
 Gardner invented the app with his partner Rob Richardson to solve the problems phones provide to students.
  “When I was a junior in college and Rob was a sophomore, we saw how much of a distraction phones were in the classroom and elsewhere. I was part of the problem,” Gardner said. “Like any good entrepreneur, we looked for a solution to the problem.”
  When asked what he would like students to know about the app, Gardner said he would like students to recognize the benefits of Pocket Points.
  “In the last year, all students on the app have locked their phones for over 730 million minutes, which is over 1,000 years,” Gardner said. 
 Gardner also stated the Pocket Points creators are always looking for suggestions. so they can provide the best app.
  For more information, visit https://pocketpoints.com or download the app today.