Overview

Leveraging social media for our advantage ensures we maintain control rather than being restricted by its algorithms. By making self-education about algorithms more accessible and understanding the psychology behind social media usage, we can develop UX solutions that empower users to navigate these platforms more effectively. Noticing how these platforms impact our mental health.

This project aims to develop a user-friendly -

Mobile application

Web browser plug-in

Research

Provide a short summary of your recent projects, highlighting the most important things.

• General anxiety & depression leading to cognitive distortions, fear, bias exploitation, and self-harm. YouTube does the same using a countdown with the addition of loading videos infinitely when scrolling. Tinder requires you to paginate through swiping. There is no end to the vortex of overstimulation.

• Social media is not inherently good or bad, but the roots of its harms may lie in the algorithms and decisions made by social media companies. Facebook’s algorithm, for example, is based on “engagement,” meaning that posts that get more likes and comments are amplified. These posts tend to be controversial or strongly resonate with users.

• Addiction is at the core of many social media companies’ business models: these apps feature hallmark ingredients of behavioral addictions, and social media algorithms capitalize on neurochemical responses to keep users returning.

• Use these platforms for Self-expression and self-identity in like-minded community.

UX Design Solutions

• Feedback warnings - “you sure you want to spend more time?” , “you’ve used - minutes” , “you want to read more about - “ (warns and confirms with its users for what it’s choosing so that people learn to make more wise decisions with their time: we don’t want social media to ruin our users life” - a positive ethical approach itself will increase user usage with the interface

• Following self-education, the next critical step in addressing the overuse of social media involves researching how these platforms are designed. Understanding the fundamentals of user experience and deliberately countering those design elements can help us develop strategies to use social media in ways that diverge from its original intent. This approach could potentially alter or improve its impact on our lives.

• The introduction of a pop-up heavy usage warning on social media - a written self education of what social media is and how it operates.

• Social media platforms to identify users who could be suffering from mental health problems by their posts and other data, and discreetly signpost to support.

• Encourage positive self-affirmations, honesty, and vulnerability- do not misguide.

• Hashtags such as #BeingReal, #NoFilter have trended previously. But how long did they last? All these trends die out overtime, and users are back to posting a picture of themselves in a party while they are crying in bed. To rip the facade built on social media, social media’s could start prompting users to take a random crazy selfie at the moment and post it (unedited).

• Random check-in to ensure users know how they feel.

• Incorporating natural elements, such as plants or landscapes, into your design can evoke a sense of serenity and tranquility, promoting mental well-being.

Project Goals

1. Third-party app- that can be attached to every single software and app.

2. Frequent reminders on every app to go move, check on a loved one, take care of your mind, body.

3. Partner with researchers and experts to analyze the mental health impacts of new products and features in advance of rollout. Regularly publish findings.

4. Take a holistic approach to designing online spaces hospitable to young people.

5. Cultivate Distraction-Free Environments.

6. Offering opportunities for personalization empowers users to tailor their interactions according to their preferences, fostering a sense of control and ownership.