Duolingo's Owl Scares Me: An Introduction to Trauma-centered Design

Duolingo’s owl isn’t just ‘motivating’—it’s applying pressure. Social media’s not just ‘connecting’ you—it’s keeping you hooked. If you’ve ever felt stressed, guilty, or overwhelmed by an app, you’re not alone.

Many digital experiences rely on gamification and dark patterns that shape behavior in ways we don’t always notice. In this webinar, we’ll explore how these tactics impact users—especially those with trauma—and what it means to design with care.

From high-pressure notifications to deceptive UI, we’ll break down what’s happening and how we can build experiences that feel safer, more supportive, and truly user-centered.