Challenge
Gen-Z is facing rising social anxiety, especially in face-to-face interactions, due to growing up with digital communication and social media pressures. This leads to isolation and difficulty forming real-world connections.
Solutions are needed to support confidence and reduce anxiety in in-person socializing.
Timeline
Research
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61% of Gen Z have been medically diagnosed with an anxiety condition, and 47% of Gen Z ages 12-26 often or always feel anxious.
Gen Z individuals who spend over 3 hours daily on social media are at higher risk for mental health problems.
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Social media platforms often showcase only the highlights of people's lives, creating a distorted perception of reality.
Pain Points
I identified 2 key user pain points around social media-induced anxiety by synthesizing research insights.
23%
of Gen Z respondents identified fear of judgment or criticism as a primary cause of their performance anxiety.
65%
of Gen Z report feeling less comfortable with face-to-face interactions compared to digital communication.
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Interview
I conducted brief 5–10 minute interviews with three individuals who have experienced social media anxiety and received therapy to learn what helped them most and hear their suggestions for support.
Competitive Analysis
I conducted the competitive analysis of mental healthcare and digital detox apps and synthesized design decisions and helping differentiate the app.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR DESIGN DECISIONS
Define
Design Goals
I synthesized the research and addressed three core design goals to guide the app’s direction.
Information Architecture
I structured the user flow for the app and prioritizing key features (star-coded) within a limited timeframe to focus on what matters most.
Lo-fi Wireframes
I explored fundamental layout and user flows through lo-fi wireframes, then refined the structure based on design decisions and feature clarity before moving into UI.
UI & Branding
Design System
I explored 3 visual directions and selected one to develop into a design system, ensuring visual consistency and alignment with the brand personality.
Feature
Feature #1
Goal Journey System
Goal suggestions based on user's emotional needs.
Flexible add/remove functionality for personalized growth path.
Achievement tracking that celebrates progress.
Gradual confidence-building through incremental challenges.
Feature #2
Digital Detoxing
Set a countdown timer and take intentional breaks from social media.
See your daily and weekly detox time at a glance.
Engage in small, mindful activities to stay present.
Limit access to distracting apps during detox.
Feature #3
AI Emotional Companion
AI-driven conversation that responds to user's emotional needs.
User-initiated support for specific challenges ("I'm having a panic attack," "I'm struggling with negative thoughts").
Personalized coping strategies and emotional validation.
Clear boundaries with professional help recommendations when needed.
Feature #4
Earn & Connect
Earn points through goal completion and detoxing.
Discount access to real-world social events and wellness activities.
Next Step
1
Conduct User Interviews and Testing
2
Interview with Professional Therapists
3
Deepen AI Emotional Support Feature
