Tech, designed to influence user behaviour through persuasion. Related to
Typical mechanisms might be:
- Push notifications
- Emails
- Pop-ups
- Streaks
On the ethics of persuasion
The following aspects might make persuasive technologies “ethical”:
- The goal of the persuasion is aligned with the user’s goal for utilizing the technology
- It is clear to the user, that a persuasive act of the technology (e. g. a push notification) is in working in favour of his goal
Example of ethical persuasion: A user might download an Yoga app, where he sets the goal to have one session of Yoga daily.
- The app sends a push notification, reminding the user to have his daily session of Yoga (aligned with the original goal)
- The push notification is clearly states how it is aligned with the users goal, e. g. by saying “It is time for your Yoga session”. A bad example might be an app trying to catch the user’s attention by hiding relevant information: “Open the app, there is something waiting for you”