A Table Spinning Top to Enhance Family Quality Time

Family dinners introduce an opportunity for quality family time which is significant for the development of emotional skills, life satisfaction and the establishment of a strong parent-child bond. However, family dinners are constantly challenged by mobile distractions. We present the design and preliminary evaluation of a peripheral Tangible User Interface, in the form of a table spinning top. The object is aimed at enhancing family quality time by raising awareness of mobile phone distraction and motivating family members to return their focus to the family activity. A preliminary user study with three families revealed high engagement and increased motivation for stopping mobile distractions and re-engaging in the family interaction. Our results suggest the prototype can assist in regulating digital interference in a constructive and positive way.