Respite: A user-centered design and evaluation of a persuasive technology for reducing mobile phone and social media addiction

Abstract

The rapid rise of smartphones and social media has transformed the way people engage with technology, creating both opportunities and challenges. While these innovations enhance connectivity and convenience, they have also led to growing concerns about mobile phone and social media addiction, which negatively affect mental health, productivity, and overall well-being. The central problem tackled in this research is the increasing prevalence of social media addiction, particularly among younger populations. The primary goal of this research is to develop and evaluate a persuasive mobile application that aims at reducing social media addiction and enhancing user well-being. The research methodology employs a user-centred design approach, ensuring the app meets the needs of individuals struggling with social media and phone addiction. The evaluation of the application involved two key phases. According to Nielsen's guidelines, usability experts first conducted a heuristic evaluation to identify areas where the app's functionality and interface needed improvement. Based on the experts' feedback, the app underwent iterative revisions. This was followed by unmoderated usability testing, where forty (40) users independently interacted with the app in real-world settings, providing natural feedback on its usability and effectiveness. The results demonstrated that the app received positive user feedback, with an average System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 71.5, indicating strong usability. The findings suggest that thoughtfully designed applications can help users regain control of their digital habits, leading to healthier behaviours and improved well-being. The application can be further improved in the future with AI-driven insights and sophisticated analytics to offer consumers tailored recommendations.