It is important for parents to know that app developers are using something called “persuasive design” to keep children hooked on. Screen time is something that has been talked about for years now, and that is because no one seems to know what the “right” amount for children is.
There are experts who state that it should be strictly limited, while others think that it is quality over quantity, and as long as it is being used as a learning tool, it is not that bad. The truth is, this is the modern world, and children are growing up with technology.
This means parents may want to focus more on how to make sure their children are safe while using apps, and how the apps that they use work. According to Medical Xpress and The Conversation, app developers have three main ways they keep children glued to the screen.
Previous data has shown that more than three-quarters of preschoolers in the US have regular access to mobile apps. This means that there are a lot of options out there for children when it comes to apps, and while they can offer fun, and interactive programs, there are things to be mindful of.
Persuasive design is something that not many parents may have heard of, but it is playing its part in making sure that children stay hooked on an app, because developers are using it when they create apps.
This refers to strategies that are designed to grab the users' attention, and make it hard for them to look away. There are three main ways this works:
- Motivation: This taps into kids’ emotions to make sure they stay motivated by the app, and they do this by offering rewards in the app and having characters in the apps give praise.
- Ability: The apps for young children are constantly offering instructions, while this may be seen as something to give them a hand, it is actually what keeps kids entertained. No one wants to play something that is too hard for them.
- Prompts: Prompts are when they are offered points or “coins” when they complete something.
If parents are wondering if there is anything they can do to combat this persuasive design, and the best thing to do is to talk to your young children about what they learned from the app.
This can tell parents if their child is actually getting anything from the app, or if it is just keeping them engaged. It is also wise to play the apps with your child for a bit to really see what it is all about, and look for the three points we listed above.
Sources: Medical Xpress, The Conversation