Short answer

When designing digital products or services related to food or social interaction, prioritize features that enable shared experiences and foster a sense of connection, recognizing their potential health benefits.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022)
Method: Scoping Review
Sample: 104 publications
Evidence: Moderate effect

Technology, particularly social media and video platforms, can facilitate shared eating experiences, fostering social connection and impacting public health. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2022 study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Using Scoping review with 104 publications, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing digital products or services related to food or social interaction, prioritize features that enable shared experiences and foster a sense of connection, recognizing their potential health benefits.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Digital Platforms Can Foster Social Connection Through Shared Eating Experiences

Technology, particularly social media and video platforms, can facilitate shared eating experiences, fostering social connection and impacting public health.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2022

Key Findings

01Digital technologies, including social media, video platforms, and augmented reality prototypes, are increasingly mediating shared eating experiences.
02These digital forms of commensality have observable impacts on family/community engagement, culinary skill development, mental health, and eating habits.
03Virtual food communities and shared eating experiences emerged as significant social interactions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing a new social app or a feature for an existing platform, consider how users can share food-related experiences virtually, such as through live video streams of meals or collaborative recipe sharing.

Project actions

01Explore how existing digital platforms could be adapted to facilitate shared eating experiences.
02Consider user research to understand the nuances of digital social eating practices.

Method & Evidence

AimTo characterize scientific findings on digital forms of commensality and identify potential relationships with public health.

MethodScoping Review

ProcedureA comprehensive review of academic literature published between 2001 and 2021 was conducted to identify studies that combined commensality (eating together) and technology. The review analyzed the findings, methodologies, and terminology used across the selected publications.

Sample104 publications

ContextDigital communication and social interaction, public health, food and eating practices.

Variables

IV["Use of digital platforms (e.g., social media, video calls)","Types of digital commensality practices"]

DV["Social connection/engagement","Mental health outcomes","Eating habits","Culinary skill development"]

CV["Age of participants","Cultural background","Socioeconomic status"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive scoping review covering a wide range of literature.
+Identifies interdisciplinary connections between technology, sociology, and public health.

Limitations

The study's findings are based on a review of existing literature, which may have its own limitations in terms of methodology and scope.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the quality and consistency of the methodologies used in the reviewed studies. Validity is enhanced by the broad scope of the review, but the lack of standardized terminology may affect the comparability of findings.

Think critically

To what extent can digital commensality truly replicate the depth of in-person shared meals, and what are the potential drawbacks of relying on technology for social connection?

Design Principles

"Design for shared digital experiences to enhance social connection and well-being."

As digital interactions become more prevalent, understanding how to design platforms that support shared social activities like eating is crucial. This insight highlights opportunities for designers to create more engaging and beneficial digital experiences that go beyond simple communication.

What This Means for Your Design

Eating together online can make people feel more connected and can be good for their mental health and eating habits.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of social connection in your design project, especially if it involves food or communication.
2.Cite this study when discussing the potential benefits of digital interaction for user well-being.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the growing role of digital technologies in mediating shared eating experiences, demonstrating that platforms like social media and video conferencing can foster social connection and positively impact public health, including mental well-being and eating habits. This underscores the importance of designing digital solutions that facilitate such shared experiences.

Source

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Digital Forms of Commensality in the 21st Century: A Scoping Review

journal · 2022

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about digital platforms can foster social connection through shared eating experiences?: When designing digital products or services related to food or social interaction, prioritize features that enable shared experiences and foster a sense of connection, recognizing their potential health benefits. Evidence: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
Why does "Digital Platforms Can Foster Social Connection Through Shared Eating Experiences" matter for design?: As digital interactions become more prevalent, understanding how to design platforms that support shared social activities like eating is crucial. This insight highlights opportunities for designers to create more engaging and beneficial digital experiences that go beyond simple communication.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing digital products or services related to food or social interaction, prioritize features that enable shared experiences and foster a sense of connection, recognizing their potential health benefits.
What were the main findings?: Digital technologies, including social media, video platforms, and augmented reality prototypes, are increasingly mediating shared eating experiences.. These digital forms of commensality have observable impacts on family/community engagement, culinary skill development, mental health, and eating habits.. Virtual food communities and shared eating experiences emerged as significant social interactions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What research method was used?: Scoping Review with 104 publications.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2022 journal from International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing a new social app or a feature for an existing platform, consider how users can share food-related experiences virtually, such as through live video streams of meals or collaborative recipe sharing.
What are the limitations?: The review identified a lack of consensus in terminology and definitions related to digital commensality, suggesting a need for more standardized research.