Shinmamoru: A Gamified Digital Well-being Mobile Application for Watchdogging Social Media Use

Abstract

The rise of social media has contributed to the condition of Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU). PSMU is linked to negative mental health outcomes and can therefore be considered a risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To address this issue, this paper explores gamification as a potential intervention for PSMU by presenting the design and evaluation of Shinmamoru, a mobile serious game system for Android. The system includes a background service to monitor social media app usage. When users continue using a social media app, it presents an interruption screen and tracks the time spent. This data then influences game outcomes by either positively or negatively affecting the player's character, depending on their tracked screen time. The study's methodology consisted of several steps: a literature review, conceptual framework development, and an evaluation with 9 participants. A blended approach that combined usability surveys and interviews was used. Results showed the prototype was generally usable, though user engagement varied, and some technical issues were noted. Still, these findings indicate gamified interventions like Shinmamoru can help raise awareness of social media habits and promote healthier behaviors.