[UX/UI] Budiya: Kids App Prototyping

Background

Children are over-exposed to various media, resulting in media addiction. Children have access to unrestricted videos that contain explicit content (violence, bad language, pornography, etc.).

And With busy parents, children become emotionally unavailable and eventually dependent on media because they become disconnected from their parents.

Through AI that can interact with kids, this app is designed to be their best media friend instead of inappropriate media.

Kids can watch videos that suit their tastes and freely talk to the AI about the videos. AI considers kids' emotions.Children can answer honestly to questions set by parents, which helps build a good relationship between them and their parents. Parents are also provided with good education and play methods to help them build a good relationship with their children.

Design brief & Design Problems

Media has become a part of our lives, and children can learn a lot from it.

With this app, kids can share their feelings and thoughts more effectively with the media using interactive AI.

Goals

Project Goals:

• Promote Healthy Digital Well-being:

1. Create a safe and positive media environment for children.

2. Enhance parent-child relationships through AI interaction.

3. Prevent media addiction and encourage responsible digital habits.

User Goals:

• Safe Digital Exploration:

1. Make sure kids can access content that is free from harmful or inappropriate material.

2. Strengthen communication and emotional connections between parents and children.

3. Offer educational support and a variety of activities for children's overall growth.

Business Goals:

• Establish Ethical Brand Image:

1. Position the app as a responsible and positive media platform for kids.

2. Increase user engagement with premium features and community building.

3. Create a way to earn money while promoting a healthy way to enjoy digital media.

Interview

Understanding the Impact of Media Addiction on Children and Parent-Child Relationships

Parental Struggles with Unrestricted Content:
Interviewee: Jessica (Parent)
Insight: Jessica talked about the difficulty of controlling what her child sees online. She is worried that sensationalized media might harm her child's innocence and development.

Child's Perspective on Online Content:
Interviewee: Alex (Child)
Insight: Alex shared that he feels uncomfortable when he accidentally sees inappropriate content online. This shows how unfiltered access can negatively affect a child's comfort and understanding.

Communication Breakdown: Busy Parents and Child Development:
Interviewee: Dr. Sarah Rodriguez (Child Psychologist)
Insight: Dr. Rodriguez pointed out the important connection between busy parents, lack of communication, and the possible effects on a child's social growth and learning at home.

The Need for Varied Activities:
Interviewee: Michael (Parent)
Insight: Michael mentioned that both parents and kids often feel bored because of repeating the same activities. This highlights how important it is to introduce different activities to keep everyone engaged and interested.

Impact of Media Addiction on Emotional Connection:
Interviewee: Emily (Child Development Specialist)
Insight: Emily talked about how media addiction can weaken emotional connections between parents and children. This shows that it’s important to build emotional bonds for healthy parent-child relationships.

Overall Observation:
The interviews reveal the various challenges caused by media addiction and communication gaps. They highlight the need for better parental controls, diverse family activities, and improved communication strategies to reduce the negative effects on children’s growth and strengthen parent-child relationships.

Empathy

User Stories

User Scenario

Scenario 1: Quality Time Together - Learning and Bonding with the App

Cathy (35): Cathy loves spending quality time with her kids after a long day at school. However, she worries about the negative effects of unrestricted media exposure. One day, she discovers an AI app that can help her family engage in positive activities.

As they explore the app together, Cathy finds a variety of educational games and activities that not only entertain her children but also provide her with tools to strengthen their bond. To manage screen time, Cathy sets limits within the app, ensuring her kids have a healthy balance of online and offline play.

On the parent’s main page, Cathy discovers a feature that allows her to set questions for the AI to ask her children—questions she might not have thought to ask directly. This feature helps deepen communication and understanding between Cathy and her kids.

The app goes even further by offering analysis of the conversations between the AI and the children, giving Cathy valuable insights into their interests, concerns, and emotional well-being.

In the ‘How to Play with Children’ section, Cathy finds a community where she can connect with other parents. Here, she shares her unique play ideas and learns from others. This interactive platform creates a supportive environment for parents to exchange creative and effective parenting techniques.

Overall, the app not only addresses Cathy’s concerns about media exposure but also becomes a comprehensive tool for improving communication, understanding, and shared learning among parents and their children.

Scenario 2: Solo Exploration - Entertaining a Bored Child on a Long Train Journey

Cathy (35): Cathy, a teacher who loves finding positive ways to engage her children, faces the challenge of keeping them entertained during a long train journey. To help with boredom, she introduces the AI app to her 4-year-old daughter, Mia, who often gets restless while traveling.

Mia (4): Excited to try something new, Mia opens the app on her tablet. The app understands that she needs entertainment during the trip and suggests a series of fun and educational videos. Intrigued, Mia clicks on a bright, interactive video about animals, one of the AI's recommendations.

AI: The AI, friendly and conversational, asks Mia what her favorite animal is. With wide-eyed enthusiasm, Mia eagerly shares her love for elephants. The AI responds with playful facts about elephants, sparking a delightful conversation that keeps Mia engaged and happy.

Mia: As the train continues on its journey, Mia explores more videos and interacts with the AI. The app not only entertains her but also becomes a source of learning and joy, turning what could have been a boring trip into an exciting adventure. Cathy watches with a smile, appreciating how the AI serves as a fun companion for her daughter, enriching her travel experience.

Scenario 3: Honest Expression - A Child's Emotional Connection through the App

Tom (7): Tom is a thoughtful and imaginative child who often spends time at home alone because of his parents’ busy work schedules. Feeling a bit lonely and missing his parents, Tom turns to the AI app for companionship and a way to express his emotions.

AI App: The AI is designed to connect with children on an emotional level and quickly notices Tom’s subdued mood. It starts a conversation by asking about his day and if he has any feelings he wants to share. Comforted by the AI’s friendly tone, Tom opens up about missing his parents and feeling a little sad.

Tom: Through the app, Tom shares his thoughts and feelings honestly, expressing his wish to spend more time with his parents. The AI listens carefully, offering comforting responses and suggesting fun activities he can do to help pass the time. Tom feels grateful to have a digital friend to talk to.

AI App: Meanwhile, the AI sends a gentle notification to Tom's parents, updating them on how Tom feels and suggesting ways they can connect with him, even when they’re busy.

Tom's Parents: When Tom's parents receive the notification, they make a conscious effort to create more quality time with him. They appreciate the app not just for keeping Tom entertained but also for helping them communicate openly about his feelings.

Design Process

Sketch / Paper Prototyping

Sketch 2 & Use Case

Low-fidelity

High-Fidelity

User research

First user research

• 2 total people interact with my low-fidelity prototype

• In-person Moderated testing

Scenario 1

You're a parent, and you want to watch videos to play with your kids in new ways.

Task 1: Set up child protection - ‘Time limits’

Task 2: Make personal options on 'how to play' screen

Task 3: Watch a video app recommending

Scenario 2

You're Mia. After creating a new profile, you want to watch a video the app recommends and start a new chat with AI when the video ends

Task 1: Create a new profile and save your AI character and preferences

Task 2: Watch a video

Scenario 3

You're Tom. And you want to play / talk with AI character.

Summary

Summary of findings from 2 participants:

• Completion Rate: Low

• Error Rate: Mid

Second user research

• 3 total people interact with High-fidelity Prototype

  (People who have baby siblings, cousins, or nephews)

• In-person Moderated testing

Scenario 1

You're a parent, and you want to watch videos to play with your kids in new ways.

Task 1: Set up child protection - ‘Time limits’

Task 2: Make personal options on 'how to play' screen

Task 3: Watch a video app recommending

Scenario 2

You're Mia. After creating a new profile, you want to watch a video the app recommends and start a new chat with AI when the video ends

Task 1: Create a new profile and save your AI character and preferences

Task 2: Watch a video

Scenario 3

You're Tom. And you want to play / talk with AI character.

Result

• All participants recognised the value of the feature and how it would affect kids in their use of this app.

• Participants felt like the feature was similar to Netflix but the design and colours still felt like only kids app.

• 2 people mentioned that the AI chat process was simple, and they'd like to continue using the app.

• Most of the errors occurred in the first task — mostly because of the micro interactions and font size.

Summary

Summary of findings from 3 participants:

• Completion Rate: 90%

• Error Rate: 10%

• The colours and simplicity of the design gave them a feeling of positivity but it needs some fine adjustments

Final result