HappiMe for Young People
By Dana Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Brain-centered mindfulness helps kids learn positivity.
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HappiMe for Young People
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What’s It About?
To use HAPPIME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, read the on-screen tutorial and watch the intro video. Name your chimp and select a username and password. Choose your happitar. Create a playlist of positive thoughts for a specific thought issue (for example, worry, school, friends), and then select the background music. To play the Swipe game, read the quote and then decide if it's a helpful thought from your happitar (swipe toward the happitar to choose that) or an unhelpful thought from your chimp. Read what the "more helpful" thought would be. Listen to the guided relaxation and other mindfulness exercises. The resources section lists mostly U.K.-based resources.
Is It Any Good?
Using digital media to boost kids' well-being is what this unique, well-thought-out app aims to do. Consistent use of HappiMe for Young People can help kids learn that a thought is just a thought that can be changed with mindfulness, practice, and a bit of willpower. Some of the British phrases in the Swipe game ("rubbish," for example) may not be relatable for young kids who are unfamiliar with their usage, and most of the support resources are U.K.-based. Still, there's a lot for kids living anywhere to learn and practice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what stressful situations your kid most frequently encounters that might be helped by creating a playlist with HappiMe for Young People. Encourage kids to be part of selecting or recording the positive phrases that ring true for them and the background sounds that are most relaxing to them.
Changing a negative self-talk habit will take consistency and may take a lot of time to see consistent change. Read Common Sense Media's How can I use media to teach my kids perseverance?.
Encourage your kid to play the Swipe game and talk about the alternative phrases. Add your own phrases.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Self-Direction: self-reflection, Emotional Development: developing resilience, handling stress, self-awareness, Health & Fitness: mental health
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: January 10, 2018
- Category: Lifestyle
- Version: 1.9
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated: May 12, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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