In an age where “doom scrolling” has become a common habit among teenagers, a group of ninth grade students from Chaminade High School in Mineola, Long Island, is taking a stand against social media addiction. Their innovative solution, an AI chatbot called “Buddy Bot,” aims to assist peers in reducing their screen time and fostering better mental health.

The Motivation Behind Buddy Bot

Students at Chaminade High School recognized firsthand the detrimental effects of excessive social media use, motivating them to devise a tool for change. Student Ty Miranda articulated the widespread impact, stating, “It takes up time with your family and friends.” This insight fueled their desire to create an effective intervention for their peers.

Development of the Buddy Bot App

Named Buddy Bot, the app integrates an AI-driven chatbot designed to help users break free from the cycle of endless scrolling. “It talks to someone. It tries to distract you from social media,” noted Christopher Covelli, one of the students involved in the app’s development.

Features and Capabilities

This innovative chatbot is equipped with over 100 recognized emotional triggers, such as feelings of being “tired,” “disappointed,” or “anxious.” In response to these triggers, Buddy Bot provides tailored advice and suggestions, promoting healthier engagement with technology.

Another student, Andrew Runje Dargento, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health, stating, “Mental health is a huge issue in this era and there’s a huge stigma around it.” This element of the app creates a more approachable interface for users, potentially streamlining connections to resources like school psychologists.

An Award-Winning Initiative

The students’ efforts were rewarded when they secured first place in the prestigious “Medical Marvels” competition, earning a prize of $1,800. This funding will be directed toward further development of the Buddy Bot, with aims to implement testing within their school community.