Lean UX Canvas
To kick off our research, we moved straight into the Lean UX Mini Canvas. We answered four core questions to define our mission and here are my assumptions on the subject:
To kick off our research, we moved straight into the Lean UX Mini Canvas. We answered four core questions to define our mission and here are my assumptions on the subject:
Questions
My perspective
What is the business (EU) problem?
Excessive smartphone use compromises well-being, fueling cycles of anxiety, FOMO, and sleep deprivation.
What should the business outcomes be?
The business outcome is to help users regain control of their time while reducing excessive screen usage.
Who are the users?
This is a global issue affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. However, certain groups can be even more vulnerable, particularly minors.
What user outcomes and benefits are there?
By regaining control over their screen time, users experience a significant improvement in well-being. This translates into sharper focus on daily activities, better sleep quality, and a reduction in generalized anxiety.
Research Goal
Moving forward, we defined our research goal: to design a service that is both feasible and desirable for tackling mobile phone overuse. We began our research journey by defining core questions to guide our discovery process.
Moving forward, we defined our research goal: to design a service that is both feasible and desirable for tackling mobile phone overuse. We began our research journey by defining core questions to guide our discovery process.
Research Questions
What’s the average amount of time spent on mobile devices per day?
What’s the average amount of time spent on mobile devices per day?
When do users typically use their phones the most?
When do users typically use their phones the most?
Which social group (based on age) is most affected by this?
Which social group (based on age) is most affected by this?
What creates this need in users to constantly check their phones?
What creates this need in users to constantly check their phones?
What if there were legislation and regulations about at what age someone can have access to social media?
What if there were legislation and regulations about at what age someone can have access to social media?
Should there be government regulations regarding social media usage?
Should there be government regulations regarding social media usage?
What are the current patterns of mobile phone use (e.g., screen time, most-used apps, frequency of checking) among different demographic groups?
What are the current patterns of mobile phone use (e.g., screen time, most-used apps, frequency of checking) among different demographic groups?
How can users become aware of their addictive patterns, and what motivates them to engage with interventions that limit phone use?
How can users become aware of their addictive patterns, and what motivates them to engage with interventions that limit phone use?
What are the ethical and practical implications of designing apps that regulate user behavior? Where is the line between help and manipulation?
What are the ethical and practical implications of designing apps that regulate user behavior? Where is the line between help and manipulation?
User Survey Introduction
To ground our decisions in real data, Alicia and I structured a quantitative survey via Google Forms, distributed to a diverse audience. We complemented our data collection with field research at Barceloneta beach, conducting intercept interviews with a diverse range of people to gain more qualitative and varied perspectives.
To ground our decisions in real data, Alicia and I structured a quantitative survey via Google Forms, distributed to a diverse audience. We complemented our data collection with field research at Barceloneta beach, conducting intercept interviews with a diverse range of people to gain more qualitative and varied perspectives.
Our goal was to understand users behaviour and key pain points. Below, I highlight the questions that gave us the most valuable insights for the project:
Our goal was to understand users behaviour and key pain points. Below, I highlight the questions that gave us the most valuable insights for the project:
On average, how much screen time do you spend on your phone per day?
On average, how much screen time do you spend on your phone per day?
Which app categories do you spend the most time in?
Which app categories do you spend the most time in?
What usually prompts you to pick up your phone?
What usually prompts you to pick up your phone?
On social media, what do you do the most?
On social media, what do you do the most?
How do you feel after a long consecutive period (1 hour+) on social media?
How do you feel after a long consecutive period (1 hour+) on social media?
Have you ever tried to stop using or reducing your phone use? How?
Have you ever tried to stop using or reducing your phone use? How?
Do you believe there should be agreed regulations for social media access?
Do you believe there should be agreed regulations for social media access?
User Survey Conclusions
Our research confirmed that excessive usage is highly concentrated: over 80% of participants identified social media (Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook) as their primary apps. The trigger for use is often unintentional, driven by boredom or notification impulses. Once in the app, the dominant behavior is the passive consumption of infinite feeds and short-form videos, leaving half of the users feeling exhausted or guilty after prolonged use.
Our research confirmed that excessive usage is highly concentrated: over 80% of participants identified social media (Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook) as their primary apps. The trigger for use is often unintentional, driven by boredom or notification impulses. Once in the app, the dominant behavior is the passive consumption of infinite feeds and short-form videos, leaving half of the users feeling exhausted or guilty after prolonged use.
We identified an active awareness of the problem: many participants have already taken drastic measures, such as deleting social media apps, to regain control. Additionally, there was a strong consensus regarding the vulnerability of minors. Most respondents supported specific legislation, citing a lack of digital maturity as a significant risk factor for this group.
We identified an active awareness of the problem: many participants have already taken drastic measures, such as deleting social media apps, to regain control. Additionally, there was a strong consensus regarding the vulnerability of minors. Most respondents supported specific legislation, citing a lack of digital maturity as a significant risk factor for this group.
These findings were decisive in defining the project's focus: instead of looking at general phone usage, we decided to tackle social media addiction. The challenge then became how to promote balance and mindful use of these platforms without compromising the user's freedom of choice.
These findings were decisive in defining the project's focus: instead of looking at general phone usage, we decided to tackle social media addiction. The challenge then became how to promote balance and mindful use of these platforms without compromising the user's freedom of choice.
2/7
2/7
Lean UX Canvas
To kick off our research, we moved straight into the Lean UX Mini Canvas. We answered four core questions to define our mission and here are my assumptions on the subject:
What is the business (EU) problem?
Excessive smartphone use compromises well-being, fueling cycles of anxiety, FOMO, and sleep deprivation.
What should be the business outcome
The business outcome is to help users regain control of their time while reducing excessive screen usage.
Who are the users?
This is a global issue affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. However, certain groups can be even more vulnerable, particularly minors.
What user outcomes and benefits are there?
By regaining control over their screen time, users experience a significant improvement in well-being. This translates into sharper focus on daily activities, better sleep quality, and a reduction in generalized anxiety.
Research Questions
What’s the average amount of time spent on mobile devices per day?
When do users typically use their phones the most?
Which social group (based on age) is most affected by this?
What creates this need in users to constantly check their phones?
What if there were legislation and regulations about at what age someone can have access to social media?
Should there be government regulations regarding social media usage?
What are the current patterns of mobile phone use (e.g., screen time, most-used apps, frequency of checking) among different demographic groups?
How can users become aware of their addictive patterns, and what motivates them to engage with interventions that limit phone use?
What are the ethical and practical implications of designing apps that regulate user behavior? Where is the line between help and manipulation?
User Survey Introduction
To ground our decisions in real data, Alicia and I structured a quantitative survey via Google Forms, distributed to a diverse audience. We complemented our data collection with field research at Barceloneta beach, conducting intercept interviews with a diverse range of people to gain more qualitative and varied perspectives.
Our goal was to understand users behaviour and key pain points. Below, I highlight the questions that gave us the most valuable insights for the project:
On average, how much screen time do you spend on your phone per day?
Which app categories do you spend the most time in?
What usually prompts you to pick up your phone?
On social media, what do you do the most?
How do you feel after a long consecutive period (1 hour+) on social media?
Have you ever tried to stop using or reducing your phone use? How?
Do you believe there should be agreed regulations for social media access?
User Survey Conclusions
Our research confirmed that excessive usage is highly concentrated: over 80% of participants identified social media (Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook) as their primary apps. The trigger for use is often unintentional, driven by boredom or notification impulses. Once in the app, the dominant behavior is the passive consumption of infinite feeds and short-form videos, leaving half of the users feeling exhausted or guilty after prolonged use.
We identified an active awareness of the problem: many participants have already taken drastic measures, such as deleting social media apps, to regain control. Additionally, there was a strong consensus regarding the vulnerability of minors. Most respondents supported specific legislation, citing a lack of digital maturity as a significant risk factor for this group.
These findings were decisive in defining the project's focus: instead of looking at general phone usage, we decided to tackle social media addiction. The challenge then became how to promote balance and mindful use of these platforms without compromising the user's freedom of choice.
Unscroll: Discovery
Unscroll: Discovery