The Mission
Improving the digital well-being of individuals around the globe should be prioritized way more than it is, especially since the dependence on technology is only going to advance. A way to enhance digital well-being is with my design solution: End-of-Scroll Prompts, which combats endless scrolling and encourages mindful breaks.
The prompts can help individuals stay engaged while avoiding burnout, offering personalized suggestions for healthier habits. This can create a more balanced, user-controlled digital experience that supports mental and physical health.
the Main Questions
"What basic human needs will contribute to increasing ones happiness?"
Our Basics Needs
As humans, we have basic needs that must be met daily to keep us uplifted and happy throughout this journey we call life. According to Maslow, these needs include biological requirements, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. To boost happiness, focus on connection, autonomy purpose, and balance. Social media helps maintain connections, but real-world interactions deepen them. A valuable resource for understanding how social media affects us mentally and physically is allpsychologyschools.com.
How the design solution can be applied:
Endless scrolling can lead to lost control and burnout, so it is vital to engage with purpose. An End-of-Scroll design encourages reflection: "Have you connected with someone meaningful and important to you today? How about stepping away for a short walk or a quick call with a friend?"
"How does social media relate to this? Should I use it more, less, or only at certain times?"
Identifying the problem
When we take a step back and reflect on what social media is, we can see that it isn't inherently bad; rather, its effects depend on how it is used. Mindless scrolling can diminish our autonomy and connections, while avoiding it can lead to disconnection from friends and events. Intentional use, staying in touch or learning new skills, can enrich our lives. I find Johann Hari's YouTube video "Depression and the Secret to Happiness" to be an informative resource for understanding the issues surrounding social media and the internet and exploring ways to address them.
How the design solution can be applied:
End-of-Scroll Prompts can create mindfulness by asking, "Is this platform helping you feel more connected or inspired? If not, maybe it is time for a break or to switch to a more enjoyable platform."
"What digital solutions can enhance our lives?"
The Solution
An effective and powerful design solution for enhancing digital well-being that I have created is the integration of End-of-Scroll Prompts. This feature would redesign the app to present prompts after a certain amount of scrolling or time spent on the platform, encouraging people to take a break with messages like, "You've caught up! How about taking a quick break or doing something that makes you happy?"
These prompts can be customized to suggest activities that align with an individuals needs, such as stretching, walking, or calling a friend. Additionally, combining these prompts with intentional habits, like setting specific times for social media use or planning a detox period, further supports healthier interactions. Overall, at key moments, the app could ask, "What's next? Try stepping away for a break and reflecting on what brought you joy today."
Conclusion
Navigating the digital world requires mindfulness. By focusing on our basic needs, connections, autonomy, purpose, and balance, we can turn social media from a source of stress into a useful tool. With design features like End-of-Scroll Prompts, we can create meaningful connections and improve our well-being, creating a healthier relationship with technology and experiencing the benefits of mindful social media use.
STATISTICS
Works Cited
Staff, All Psychology Schools. “Social Media’s Effects on Our Mental Health: All Psychology Schools.” AllPsychologySchools.Com, 18 July 2023, www.allpsychologyschools.com/blog/social-media-psychology/.
Hari, Johann. “Depression and the Secret to Happiness .” YouTube, youtu.be/6R0fTRTIQCE?feature=shared.
McLeod, Saul. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Simply Psychology, 24 Jan. 2024, www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html.
“Revealing Average Screen Time Statistics for 2024.” Backlinko, 11 Mar. 2024, backlinko.com/screen-time-statistics.
(Extra)
Etchells, Pete. “Scroll on: Why Your Screen-Time Habits Aren’t as Bad as You Think They Are.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 16 Mar. 2024, www.theguardian.com/media/2024/mar/16/scroll-on-screen-time-habits-not-bad-for-you-attention-span-brain.
Chandra, Ravi. “How to Use Social Media Wisely and Mindfully.” Mindful, 30 Aug. 2024, www.mindful.org/use-social-media-wisely-mindfully/.