Kin circle: Social messaging system for mediated familial bonding: Designing from the lens of interaction ritual chains theory

This paper presents the design of a new social messaging app for family connection called Kin Circle. From the lens of Interaction Ritual Chains Theory, we argue that interactions among family members through social messaging groups can be seen as successful rituals, which give rise to more rituals that strengthen familial bond. Our previous study of WhatsApp usage among extended family members shows that this bonding-ritual cycle is sustained through the efforts of kin-keepers. Based on our understanding of mediated familial communication as rituals, Kin Circle is designed to heighten the awareness of the boundaries that defined family solidarity, to support kin-keepers role, and catalyse the creation of new rituals for the family. In this paper, we demonstrate novel design features of Kin Circle prototype, namely family home metaphor, virtual kin-keeper, and events function. In the future, we plan to deploy Kin-Circle and observe its use.