Fast-Max-Flyer
✈️
Magical usernames
for kids
During user tests with children (aged 6 tot 12) on streaming platforms, I noticed a recurring issue: kids in this age group often struggle to create a profile, particularly when choosing a unique username. This frustration negatively impacts their user experience. In this case study, I’ll explain why usernames were necessary, how I identified this challenge, and the solution we implemented to make the process seamless and fun.
What problem are we solving?
Our story begins with Ketnet, a streaming platform designed for kids aged 6-12. On Ketnet, kids can create usernames to chat during live broadcasts and post comments on video’s. When looking into the platform, kids would have usernames such as:
During user testing, it became clear that creating a unique username was a significant challenge for kids. They experience problems such as:
Not being familiar with the term ‘usernames’
Usernames already chosen by someone
Prohibited use of spaces and characters
Too few characters / name too short
Unclear errors
For example, a child might type “Spongebob” as their username, only to receive an error message that the name is already chosen.
Fast-forward 1.5 years: VRT decided to discontinue the Ketnet streaming platform and migrate users to VRT MAX. Since we still wanted kids to engage through chat and comments, I was tasked with designing a user-friendly solution for username creation.
Competitor analysis
To understand best practices, I researched how other platforms simplify username creation. A few key approaches stood out:
Lego. This platform generates usernames automatically. Children can’t enter their own names but can cycle through suggestions using arrows.
Reddit. Users are assigned an automatic username but have the option to customize it.
Username generators. Many websites offer randomly generated usernames, sometimes allowing users to input a keyword and apply filters.
Roblox. Kids create their own profiles, but if their chosen username is taken, Roblox suggests similar alternatives.
Solution
To simplify the process for children, we introduced an automatic username generator within the profile creation flow. Our system generates usernames by combining three fun elements:
A playful adjective
First name, entered by the child
A cool superpower
By mixing these elements, we create an enormous variety of unique usernames.
M
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Whiskers' Big Adventure
Curious Whisker explores, learns, and plays on Mars!
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176
243
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The outcome
his approach removes the frustration of selecting a username while making the process engaging and interactive. By turning username creation into a fun, gamified experience, kids can enjoy the platform without getting stuck at the first hurdle. With this implementation, we successfully ensured a smooth transition from Ketnet to VRT MAX while enhancing the overall user experience for young audiences.