Act 1: RESEARCH/IDENTIFY YOUNGER USER NEEDS

Before designing my new feature, I need to identify the specific security needs of our younger users.

  • Examine the different ways our younger users could be vulnerable to security threats, such as online predators, cyberbullying, or inappropriate content.

  • Prioritize the areas of most concern and determine the most effective solutions to address those issues.

The CSD (Consistency, Simplicity, and Distinctiveness) matrix is a tool that I used to evaluate the quality of a user interface and user experience.

Secondary Research

I identified user needs, business needs, and the goal. Currently, Snapchat doesn’t deliver safe usability of the app for younger individuals and has no filtered content, which will keep users in control of interaction with the app. Young individuals are exposed to harmful content that has not been regulated, and more youthful individuals are open to many risks involving random people penetrating their privacy. By developing features based on Snapchat’s existing version, such as controlling the safety and privacy of young users and counting adults in control of the situation, customers will feel more unassailable using Snapchat and proceed to attract more individuals to interact with the app.

Act 2: DESIGNING THE NEW SECURITY FEATURE

With our younger user needs identified, my next step will be to design a new feature that addresses those concerns. My goal is to create a user-friendly interface that’s easy to use and provides the highest level of security.

  • Design a new screenshot-blocking feature that will protect younger users’ privacy while communicating with other individuals.

  • Design a different limited interface for younger users (“SnapchatClub”) to notify users about their secure sign-up.

  • Design a secure process of “adding and accepting friends.”. This feature will not allow communication between both parties before adding each other to their friends list.

  • Design a secure “search” procedure for individuals. This feature will block “quick add” and not discrete any names or profile information through “mutual friends.”

  • Design a new parental control feature that allows parents to monitor and manage their child’s Snapchat account. This feature will enable parents to control their child’s access to certain features, such as a list of friends and conversations.

  • Finally, design a new educational component that helps younger users understand the importance of online safety and how to protect themselves online.

Based on research, I created rough, simple sketches that helped to explore and communicate design ideas without getting bogged down in details. Sketches represented here are “sign-up,” “adding friends,” “Snapcode,” “accepting friends,” and the screenshot-blocking process.

Mid-Fi helped me to get more realistic user testing, more context and detail than low-fi sketches, and allowed for faster iteration and refinement of design ideas.

Act 3: USER TESTING

Once I have the prototype designed, it’s time to conduct user testing with our younger audience to ensure that the new security feature is practical and easy to use.

  • Work with parents and children to test our new feature and give us feedback on their experience.

  • Ask users to provide feedback on what they liked and didn’t like about the feature and make adjustments as needed.

  • Provide user tests to complete a series of tasks with the new feature and observe how they interact with it.