A new certification program is challenging technology companies to prioritize wellbeing by designing products that minimize distraction. Calm Tech Certified evaluates products against principles for creating more mindful technology experiences, and describes itself as “the world’s first standard for attention and technology.”
The certification’s inaugural class includes four products demonstrating how calm technology principles can be applied across different categories. Airthings View Plus, for example, is an air quality monitor that communicates complex data via a minimal and unobtrusive display, while Daylight’s DC-1 is a tablet designed to protect users’ focus and circadian rhythms.
The program arrives as concerns about technology’s impact on mental health continue to mount. For brands, certification offers a way to differentiate their products in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Early results from certified products show promise: the Unpluq Tag, a tool that blocks apps on a user’s phone with a physical key, reports that over 50% of customers remain engaged after one year, with average daily screen time reduced by 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Whether or not your company will be pursuing Calm Tech certification, it’s worth exploring how its principles can be applied to your products.