Securing children’s profiles on VRT MAX
In 2022, VRT MAX introduced children's profiles alongside the existing adult profiles. This initiative aimed to separate adult and children's content and ensure the safety of younger users. Adults can now become administrators of children's profiles, giving them control over the settings and restricting children's access to certain content.
🔥 Problem
When children use the VRT MAX app, website, or TV app, they can easily switch to an adult profile and view or listen to inappropriate content that includes things as drugs, violence, etc. From the privacy department within the organization, the need arose to secure the switch from children's profiles to adult profiles, ensuring compliance with legislation and safeguarding children.
illustration of the necessity of a separation between children's and adult worlds.
⚙️ Research
I started with an in-depth investigation into how other streaming platforms handle security between profiles. Several methods emerged from this research:
Solving a math problem
Entering numbers written out in words
Setting and entering a PIN code
I noted the pros and cons of each method and created initial wireframe concepts to visualize how they could be implemented on our platform.
TIP - get feedback early from development teams
During a design crit session, where both design and development teams provide feedback and showcase ideas, I presented these concepts. This early feedback helped us make adjustments quickly and incorporate valuable input.
✅ Chosen Security
We ultimately chose the PIN code method, as it is a strong and technically feasible form of security that complies with the legislation.
🎨 Wireframes and delivery
I then developed the PIN code concept into detailed wireframes, including:
How the PIN code can be set up during profile creation
How the PIN code is requested when switching between profiles
UX copy for all screens
Visualizations for all platforms (smartphone, tablet, website, TV app)
Error screens, such as when an incorrect PIN code is entered
A "forgot PIN code" flow to assist users with issues
These wireframes were then refined by a UI designer, with no functional changes needed. The visual implementation is now integrated across all VRT MAX platforms.
wireframes to visualize concept to stakeholders and highlight pro's and con's
📊 Results
Over 10.000 profiles have security enabled and it serves as one of the major USP's to convince users to create child profiles.
mock-up of the pin-code in action