A social platform for children coping with cancer
A social community web & mobile app for mental support
The project was made for "Sunrise Israel" association
My role: Research, concept development, UX design I May 2021
INTRO
"Lobster" is a social community app that allows children to create their own community as a way to socially connect and receive mental support. The app provides social community "feed", communication features and mentoring platform.
THE PROBLEM
Children coping with cancer often suffer through difficult mental struggles
Every year, about 500 new cases of children with cancer are diagnosed in Israel. The life of children diagnosed with cancer changes dramatically. Social connections between children who are in a similar situation can greatly benefit from a sense of belonging, a safe place to share what they are going through.
THE CHALLENGES
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Creating an interactive platform that will create an active and supportive community.
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The product will serve as a social network and create interpersonal connections between users.
USER RESEARCH
From the children's point of view
In my user research I conducted interviews with children in different ages who have cancer and with professionals from the "Sunrise Israel" Association who work closely with the children.
Reut
19, Recovering from cancer
I work with children in hospitals.
Because I recovered from cancer myself, I think children are able to connect with me more easily than other professionals...
Sasha
13, Coping with cancer
Other kids in my class don't even know what I'm going through, I don't share it with them because they are busy with other things... sometimes it sucks that I do'nt have a friend who has experienced something similar.
Idan
10, Coping with cancer
I only know the kids who are in the hospital with me and most of them are a few years younger than me... I would like to meet children my age who are also fighting cancer.
MARKET RESEARCH
What exists and what can be improved
In the market research I examined which are the leading applications in the market for cancer patients. What products does the target audience use, what can be learned from them and what should be improved.
The main apps in the field
PAIN POINTS
PAIN POINT #1
The products don't encourage interpersonal communication and connections between users.
Most of the products are not intended for children and teenagers. Therefore the content and design aren't suitable for them.
PAIN POINT #2
The products mainly provide a solution for medical, practical and bureaucratic information. They don't provide social and mental help to the users.
PAIN POINT #3
PAIN POINT #4
There is no sense of belonging and community created by the products.
CONCLUSIONS AND INSIGHTS
The product should create a sense of belonging and community for the users. In order to create a place for them where they can receive mental and social support.
The product should encourage interpersonal connections between users. The real value lies with the users who will support each other.
The product design should be tailored for a young target audience, be fun and interactive.
A community platform should be designed to suit a variety of users as possible. To enhance each user's sense of belonging.
THE SOLUTION
"Lobster"- Social network for children with cancer
A social networking platform for children with cancer. The platform enables a social "feed", community groups, connection between users and a unique mentoring program.
Target audience
Children with cancer, friends and family Ages 8-19
The value
Mental and social support for the children
The goal
Creating an active and supportive community for all children with cancer in Israel
ARCHITECTURE
I designed the structure of the system according to the conclusions of the study. The structure encourages active participation in the "feed" community, a simple transition between the central community and subgroups - in order to create a sense of belonging to as many users as possible. Switching between product functions is efficient and easy.
HOW IT WORKS
Onboarding
The registration process is linear. Easy, friendly steps guide the user through the creation of their personal profile
HOW IT WORKS
Onboarding- status
The user is asked about his connection to cancer, whether he is fighting cancer/ recovering/ friend / family member. What type of cancer is he coping with. He will also describe his interests and hobbies so community members can learn more about him.
HOW IT WORKS
Community page
Users can upload posts to the page, share experiences, feelings from everyday life through texts and multimedia. They can respond to posts and support each other. Using the groups menu the users can switch between the different subgroups.
HOW IT WORKS
1 on 1
Users can see other members of the community, find members who share common interests, same age and same type of cancer. Users can start chatting with each other.
HOW IT WORKS
"Older brother"- mentoring program
This program matches children who have recovered from cancer and children who are currently fighting cancer. A child who has recovered from cancer become a mentor who can listen, support and share his personal experience in coping with cancer.
HOW IT WORKS
"Brothers chat rooms"
After the child chooses a mentor he will enter the "Brothers chat room". The mentor will be able to schedule meetings with the child at regular times or as needed.
MOBILE VERSION
