In his book 'Framing – The Social Art of Influence', Mikael Klintman asks which kinds of signalling strike a chord with different audiences in particular situations like advertising and campaigns. There are many parallels to health apps in his research. The apps often use “rough framing” with urgent, emotional language to keep you engaged. This can lead to over-monitoring your feelings and more worrying. Klintman suggests a calmer, more user-friendly design that supports mental health without triggering anxiety.
So next time your app says “Your stress is rising!”, take a breath – and consider turning off notifications.
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Mikael Klintman’s article in The Conversation