LUNOST: Connected Tangible Messengers for Enhancing Off-Site ParentTeenager Relationships

Zhao Liu, Ernuo Cheng, Xinyuan Zhang, Xipei Ren*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

In China, off-site family relationships between college students and their parents are often problematic, which may negatively influence the personal development of teenagers. Persuading college students to build healthy and active communications with their parents can be a valuable subject. This paper presents an exploratory design study, investigating a tangible interactive product to help parents and children easily build shared communication experiences remotely. Firstly, we conducted an auto-ethnographical study to explore the design opportunities for improving off-site parent-teenager relationship. In return, we design LUNOST, a pair of metaphorical devices that enables emoji exchange, voice messaging and weather sharing between teenagers and parents over a distance through several tangible interactions, without using any digital tools. Based on the prototypes of LUNOST, we carried out a preliminary user test with 14 college students and 10 parents of them to examine the feasibility user experience of our design concept. Our quantitative findings suggested that LUNOST was experienced significantly useful, in terms of its usability (p=0.003), aesthetics (p=0.001), and perceived motivations (p=0.002). Qualitative results indicated that our design could be useful to remind youngsters to keep in touch with their parents and enable parents to subtly learn the status of their children. Based on our project, we discuss the future developments of relevant technologies for improved off-site parent-teenager relationships.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 2021 9th International Symposium of Chinese CHI
Subtitle of host publicationIdentity, Value. Trust, Chinese CHI 2021
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages127-132
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781450386951
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Oct 2021
Event9th International Symposium of Chinese CHI: Identity, Value. Trust, Chinese CHI 2021 - Virtual, Online, Hong Kong
Duration: 16 Oct 202117 Oct 2021

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

Conference9th International Symposium of Chinese CHI: Identity, Value. Trust, Chinese CHI 2021
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityVirtual, Online
Period16/10/2117/10/21

Keywords

  • Parent-teenager communication
  • college student
  • persuasive design
  • remote social interaction
  • tangible interaction

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