Common Sense Media: App Traps & Addictive Design
Lots of people say they feel “addicted” to their phones or the apps and games they use. But is tech actually designed to get you hooked? Teach students about addictive and humane design in the apps, games, and the devices they use every day. By understanding both sides of tech design, students gain the knowledge and agency to make healthier choices in their digital lives—putting them back in control of their relationship with tech, not the other way around.
Objectives
- Distinguish between addictive design and humane design features in digital media
- Identify addictive design tricks in commonly used apps
- Design solutions that transform addictive features into humane alternatives
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Lots of people say they feel “addicted” to their phones or the apps and games they use. But is tech actually designed to get you hooked? Teach students about addictive and humane design in the apps, games, and the devices they use every day. By understanding both sides of tech design, students gain the knowledge and agency to make healthier choices in their digital lives—putting them back in control of their relationship with tech, not the other way around.
Objectives
- Distinguish between addictive design and humane design features in digital media
- Identify addictive design tricks in commonly used apps
- Design solutions that transform addictive features into humane alternatives