Project Kindamo
A mobile intervention designed to rebuild healthy body image in teens and young adults.
Focus: Mental Health & Social Media
Video Trailer
Project Kindamo — Thesis Trailer
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Abstract
Kindamo is a mobile application designed to counter the well-documented relationship between social media consumption and body dissatisfaction in adolescents and young adults. Drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles, motivational interviewing, and positive media exposure research, Kindamo offers a curated alternative social feed, mindful scrolling interrupts, and daily body-neutrality exercises. The app does not attempt to eliminate social media use but to reshape its emotional texture.
Design Challenge
The link between idealized body imagery on social platforms and elevated rates of disordered eating and poor body image is extensively documented. Existing solutions—digital detox apps, parental controls—ask users to withdraw rather than engage differently. Kindamo's hypothesis: intentional, positive-framed media exposure combined with small behavior-change interventions can shift the emotional register of social media from harm to support.
Technical Approach
Built with Flutter for cross-platform deployment. The curated content feed is seeded by a vetted library of body-diverse creators and supplemented by user preferences. Mindful scrolling interrupts use scroll velocity detection to trigger gentle pause prompts. CBT-based micro-exercises were co-designed with a licensed therapist consultant.
Outcomes
A 4-week study with 22 participants aged 16–24 showed statistically significant reductions in body dissatisfaction scores (Rosenberg BSS). 91% of participants reported Kindamo felt "different from other apps" in emotional tone. Presented at IxDIA Spring Show 2023.
Process Documentation
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