Digital Media and Your Brain

Sam downloaded a meditation app to help him mentally prepare for soccer games. The app allows Sam to choose whether he would like alerts and how many he wants each day. The alerts suggest tips for relaxing and focusing based on Sam's goals. They suggest things he can do on his own, like taking five deep breaths to relax or doing stretches to relieve stress.  Which of these features is an example of humane design?

• Sam gets to choose if and how many alerts he gets each day.

• Suggests that Sam log in frequently.

• Offers Sam bonuses the longer he stays in the app.

• Suggests other apps Sam might like.

Lisa uses a messaging app to chat with her friends. When Lisa is doing homework, she uses the Do Not Disturb setting on the app. It blocks alerts during times Lisa sets. Her friends receive a message letting them know she is not available until her chosen end time. The app also keeps track of how many minutes Lisa is using it. She can check the app at the end of each day to see her total screen time. She can also set goals to help her use the app more or less. Lisa can win badges for meeting those time limit goals. Which of the following is an example of addictive design?

• Do Not Disturb mode.

• She can share her badges on social media to brag.

• She logs in daily.

Which of the following best describes a feedback loop?

• A set of design features that helps users keep media balance.

• A personal habit that you develop when you start using social media.

• A response to something you do online that causes your brain to expierience a temporary moment of pleasure.

• When you and a classmate give feedback on each other assignment.

Regular alerts asking you if you want to quit.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Suggestions for offline activities.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Rewards increase as you play more.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Settings to control the number of notifications.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Penalties for leaving the app.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Autoplay and countdown features.

• Humane Design

• Addictive Design

Marie downloaded an app that lets her connect with friends who like to run. The app has a leaderboard, and each person gets points based on how much they run during the week. What should Marie consider when thinking about whether to receive notifications from the app?

• Do the notifications motive her to go for a run?

• Do the notifications distract her from doing other things she needs to do?

• Do the notifications make her feel like she always needs to check the app?

• All of the above