A new Chrome extension called Cat Gatekeeper has taken over users' screens—literally—forcing them to take a break from social media by displaying a giant orange cat that blocks all browsing.
Developed by ZOKUZOKU, the extension acts as a digital break timer. After a user-defined period of scrolling (default 60 minutes), it covers the browser window with the cat image, preventing further use until a countdown ends (default 5 minutes).
The timer only runs when a supported social media tab is active and pauses when the user switches tabs or apps. Supported platforms include X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, Threads, and Bluesky.
The developer states that page access permission is used only to display the overlay and that no data is collected. The extension is free and ad-free.
The concept spread widely on X, with users remarking that the cat makes the page inoperable during the break period.