MindfulMingle App Prototype
The MindfulMingle Prototype demonstrates mindful design principles meant to encourage creatives, and the tech firms that employ them, to cultivate safer online experiences for the users of their designs, especially adolescent users.
Settings
The Mindful Mingle app prototype provides the user with a range of personalization choices. Users can alter notifications, fine-tune how data is displayed, and create boundaries on their interfaces with the system. These controls are intended to help the user manage their digital environment, promoting a more mindful approach to using the app.
Users are able to control how often they can check messages by using the “Daily Message Checks” function. They can decrease their pattern of continuously checking their inbox by setting outer limits themselves. As they move the slider to increase the regularity, the color indicator fluctuates from green to yellow, then orange, and finally red. Green is the recommended state; red is the upper limit.
Users also can adjust how often the “Load More” button materializes and how often they will get a wellness break reminder. Choices for “Hang It Up Time” can be specified to permit the user to control when they plan to end for the day.
The advanced algorithm ideas utilized by the Mindful Mingle app concept are intended to provide personalized recommendations to assist individuals in finding harmony between staying in touch through social media and regulating their screen usage with mindfulness.
Alternative to Continuous Scroll
Continual scrolling on digital devices can negatively affect adolescents by creating a dopamine loop that can increase incessant engagement. This can lead to unfavorable conduct, increased anxiety, trouble with concentration, and a declining ability to cope. Systems that urge continuous contact often keep users from intuitively taking breaks or reflecting on what they are doing.
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QUIZ BREAK
The Mindful Mingle prototype purposely interrupts the user’s engagement by breaking up the continuous scrolling pattern with quiz breaks. After scrolling through several videos and images, the user is given a short quiz. This gentle break in the activity distracts the user enough to let them reflect and become aware of how they could be inflicting psychological damage by the way they are relating with the digital environment.
Load More & Messages
LOAD MORE
In place of unending scrolling, the Mindful Mingle app prototype interjects a “Load More” button at unpredicted times. The button appears in assorted situations, encouraging the user to take a break and consider doing something else. By dropping in these interruptions, the app supports a more mindful methodology to consuming content.
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RANDOM ERROR MESSAGES
At various intervals, the app will drop in random error messages even though they may or may not be due to an actual problem. These messages are intended to prompt users to pause their scrolling and check messages instead. With messages batched and free from gamification features like scores, it reduces the urge for constant social validation.
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WARNING MESSAGE
As users approach their preset limits within the app, they are subtly alerted through changes in color or mild warning messages. These prompts are designed to encourage users to switch activities, promoting a break from continual digital engagement.
Alternative to Instant Notifications and Wellness Breaks
BATCH MESSAGE
The app’s inbox does not provide instant alerts and only allows opening at times determined by the user in advance via the settings. This removes dopamine-triggering instant messages, helping to reduce stress and maintain focus. This more structured approach provides support for more mindful interaction with the system.
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TAKE A BREAK
As users continue to scroll through images and videos on the app, they encounter a forced break in the action. This disruption is a five-minute break but lasts only ten seconds in the prototype. This locks all browsing, advising the user to briefly step away from their screen to do other activities.
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MEDITATION BREAK
After more scrolling, the app introduces a meditation break. This includes a breathing exercise accompanied by new-age music designed to interrupt the scrolling routine. Users are guided through a series of timed breathing techniques, after which they can choose to return to their digital interaction.
Gentle Reminders
SUNSETTING AND COLOR SHIFT REMINDER
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An important function of this application prototype is a managed time signal, which provides hints to users when they are near their chosen usage limit. This function uses the principle that well-defined usage limits will reduce unhealthy habits and curb the growth of compulsive behaviors. When users approach these moments in time, the interface will gently change its colors and show a sunset symbol to signal that it’s time to begin thinking about logging off. Users can customize these notifications within boundaries to have some control over their technology use.
