Teaching or Manipulating? On the Adoption of Bright and Deceptive Patterns by Duolingo

João Vitor Castro, George Valença

Artigo aceito no XXIV Simpósio Brasileiro sobre Fatores Humanos em Sistemas Computacionais (8 a 10 de Setembro de 2025).

In 2024, Duolingo surpassed 100 million active users, including a large number of children, raising concerns about its design practices. This study aims to critically examine Duolingo’s interface through the lens of fair and deceptive design patterns, especially regarding children’s rights. We conducted a qualitative analysis of the platform’s visual and interaction elements, focusing on engagement strategies. While Duolingo employs ethical practices like clear interfaces, we identified manipulative patterns such as excessive notifications and emotionally charged visuals. These findings contribute to discussions on ethical design in educational apps for children.

Leia aqui