Threshold

Threshold is a browser extension designed to help adults maintain boundaries with websites they have chosen to avoid, particularly those associated with addictive or compulsive behaviors. Unlike typical site blockers focused on productivity, Threshold is built for moments when users want to uphold a personal commitment to change, especially during vulnerable times. The extension enforces a real lockout by requiring a 30-character random code set by the user and stored locally, with no recovery email or admin override, making it intentionally difficult to bypass in moments of weakness. The key to unlocking blocked sites is held by a trusted accountability partner—such as a spouse, sponsor, or friend—who receives notifications when the user attempts to access restricted content and has the final say on any requested changes.

Threshold offers several features to reinforce self-imposed boundaries. Users can create a blocklist by selecting categories like adult content, gambling, social media, news, and video, or by specifying individual sites. Adding sites to the blocklist is immediate, but removing them requires approval from the partner and a mandatory 72-hour waiting period, which can be revoked at any time before completion. The extension includes a calm block page that displays the user's own pledge and offers a sixty-second pause for reflection. It also provides a private journal for users to record their feelings and motivations, with only the fact of journaling—not the content—visible to the partner. Weekly statistics, including streaks and late-night patterns, are presented plainly without gamification or rewards, and both the user and partner receive a summary email each Sunday.

Threshold is available as a free browser extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, and does not require users to create an account. The tool is specifically intended for adults seeking recovery from compulsive online behaviors or aiming to rebuild focus, and it is not marketed for parental control, employee monitoring, or competitive productivity tracking. Its design centers on accountability, intentional friction, and support from a real person rather than automated or motivational systems.