Trigger action programming (TAP) platforms allow users to personalise their digital ecosystems by defining so-called “trigger action rules”, such as “When I leave the house, turn off the smart thermostat” However, little is known about whether this can be used to support the well-being of users.
To fill this gap, CAIS researcher Aditya Purohit and colleagues collected 6590 trigger action programs from iOS shortcuts and analysed the dataset to understand which aspects of their wellbeing users are already programming and which opportunities are still untapped. The results show that users are only tapping into a fraction of this potential, with the majority of wellbeing-focused programmes targeting health and physical activity.
To highlight an underutilised use case, the paper presents two digital self-monitoring interventions developed through iOS shortcuts. In doing so, they highlight the challenges and opportunities of using TAP as a viable option to improve existing digital habits and self-regulate technology use, thus mitigating the negative effects of excessive digital engagement.
Further information and the full study can be found here.