LESSON

Design Tricks

How is tech designed to keep us hooked?

The tech we use every day is strategically designed to capture and hold our attention. And over time, companies have gotten "better" at knowing what pulls us in and keeps our eyes on the screen. This lesson helps students learn about design tricks that companies use and consider how features like notifications, infinite scroll, and autoplay can impact their well-being. Learning about design features can motivate us to take back control over our experience with tech and media, and pave the way for more agency.

This lesson was co-created with the Center for Digital Thriving.

Objectives

Understand how and why tech companies use certain design tricks to hold our attention, even when it's not in our best interest
Consider how app features can hinder and/or promote well-being
Reflect on how the goal of an app informs the way it is designed

Vocabulary

Design Tricks · User Experience

Design Tricks – features that technology companies use (like endless scrolling and autoplay) to capture user attention by playing on our psychology

User Experience – how a user interacts with and experiences an app, website, system, or service