Women in tech: Most tech apps these days tend to focus on one or all of three things: sustainability, business management and wellbeing, with the majority of them catered towards adults. But what about kids?
According to Ofcom, almost eight in ten children aged 3-17 (79%) have used apps or sites for messaging or video calls. In addition to this, research from Statista shows that in 2022, 51 per cent of kids in the United Kingdom used TikTok, 46 per cent on Snapchat, and 42 per cent used Facebook. Perhaps a more colourful, creative app geared towards children is Lucia’s World. The platform, founded by renowned kids entertainer Lucia Davies from Cheshire, UK, aims to help kids between the ages of 3 and 9 enhance their creative skills and practise mindfulness.
Children can play games and watch entertaining short films while learning about inclusivity and positivity and developing their skills in a safe digital space. We spoke to the kids’ entertainer turned tech entrepreneur Lucia Davis and asked her about the concept, challenges faced, and screen time!
Where did the concept for Lucia’s World come from?
It all began when I noticed that every children’s book is written and illustrated by adults. I just wondered why the children themselves don’t create them. The concept of Lucia’s World is to collaborate with children more and create a platform for their own ideas and creativity. I truly believe that nobody has a bigger imagination than a child!
As a famous kids entertainer, did you have much tech knowledge prior to establishing the platform?
Funnily enough, I actually designed the first interactive website where parents could book events and buy party supplies myself. They could also use it to watch videos and print off stencil sheets for kids to colour in. It really was the early makings of the app. I still, however, liked to use a Collins day-to-day diary and pen to book entertainment sessions with families. My tech knowledge was very minimal before I started this journey.
What were your most important considerations when developing an app for kids?
Inclusivity and authenticity. I’m a professional entertainer, not an actress. I use performance as a tool to help educate. My stories, songs, and games always contain life lessons and underlying moral messages.
Can you tell me a bit about the challenges you faced in trying to develop the platform?
We launched in 2020 during COVID-19, which, unfortunately, impacted the app’s development. This was a challenge because we couldn’t market it in schools and public places. As a result, I ended up providing free live and interactive homeschooling shows throughout the pandemic.
What sets the platform apart from other kids’ tech platforms?
It’s incredibly interactive and personable. It encourages children to reduce and reflect on their usage of screen time while learning through real play. I describe Lucia’s World as ‘the app that gets kids off apps.’
One of the most important features is mindfulness; how do you use technology to promote it to a young audience?
The soul of the app is the mushroom (character) known as Imtam. Imtam has a soft and soothing voice that helps the children to navigate their way in Lucia’s World through calm affirmations and positive reinforcement messages, using praise and kind verbal reward systems.
How did you go about attracting investment into your tech solution?
There were a few different routes which I took. I created the ‘Pod Trail,’ which is now in its 9th year. I’ve documented the highs, lows, triumphs, and tragedies through building a strong and supportive social media presence. The content has been printed into 12 books to date, and I now share these in schools and investment meetings to show growth and development in the company.
We are always reading about kids and the dangers of too much screen time; how does PodTrail tackle that?
I think it handles it through encouraging children to seek pleasure and satisfaction in areas outside technology. Dopamine is the high children feel when they play computer games, but the bigger rush comes from accomplishing challenges in real life. Ie. Building a sandcastle, learning to ride a bike, climbing a tree…and jumping in a muddy puddle!
What are your favourite features currently?
The stories and songs are signed in British Sign Language and performed by children from Britain’s Got Talent’s Golden Buzzer Winners Signalongwithus. My favourite part is the feature where children can print their own hardback book with illustrations to keep for a lifetime.
And finally, what are your ambitions for the app of 2024?
With the next level of investment, we hope to be able to make the app multilingual and work with eye gaze technology. We also hope to showcase many more talented and inspirational children and produce a worldwide club that safely connects kids from different countries, backgrounds and walks of life.
