Good UX is meant to help users — but what happens when it doesn’t?

Many design patterns celebrated as “good UX” are optimised for engagement, speed, and convenience. Over time, these same choices can lead to overuse, manipulation, and loss of autonomy.

In this episode of HCI Explained, we examine how good UX can still cause harm, even when intentions are positive.

We discuss:

• Why usability and ethics are not the same

• How engagement-driven design can undermine well-being

• Persuasive patterns that look helpful but create dependency

• Why harm often emerges gradually rather than instantly

• The limits of metrics like engagement and retention

• Designer's responsibility beyond making things easy

💡 A design can be usable, elegant, and successful — and still be harmful.

👉 Tune in for a critical discussion on ethics, responsibility, and long-term impact in UX design.

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