Samsung wants to help autistic children be more social with its new app

Samsung has released a new app that helps people with autism establish eye contact. According to statistics, one in 68 children in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. Some of the symptoms of the condition include poor eye contact and social skills. Samsung’s new app aims to treat these symptoms. The Look at Me app, developed with Yonsei University’s department of psychology and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, enables autistic children to play a series of games and tests that were developed in order to improve their social skills and eye contact.

While some believe smartphones and tablets may be turning some of us into screen-staring data drones, Samsung has launched a new app that aims to treat the inability to make eye contact — a symptom of autism. Developed with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Yonsei University’s department of psychology, the company’s Look At Me app allows autistic children to run a series of games, challenges and tests designed to improve their ability to make eye contact, and enhance their social skills. According to a survey conducted by Samsung, based on parental feedback, the app helped roughly 60% of the 20 children who used it over eight weeks. Look At Me presents six missions for users to complete, and recommends a daily usage of at least 15 to 20 minutes. One challenge requires users to practice forming certain facial expressions (“Expression of the Day”), while another prompts them to practice drawing facial features over existing photos. Each challenge delivers points based on a user’s performance.