I gave my kids a way to chat with their grandparents via WhatsApp.
But without screens!
This box lives in their bedroom, they press the massive blue button to record a voice message, and the message is sent to a group with both grandparents.
It’s two-way so when the grandparents send a message back, there’s a ringtone (that we chose together) and the kids run to their room to listen.
The grandparents even get a “listened” notification with a small headphones WhatsApp reaction.
When the kids are away or asleep, the messages queue until their return.
There are obviously quiet hours at night.
My son and I built this over the past few weeks, iterating on the UX.
The kids and grandparents absolutely love it!
I love that they are in direct contact without me in the middle and without screens.