Cardiff Youth Service is testing a mobile app that utilizes augmented reality (AR) to support teenagers dealing with anxiety and school attendance issues.

The app allows users to design a flower and manage its growth conditions, which can be superimposed onto their physical surroundings through their devices.

Designed to assist neurodivergent individuals, the app aims to make expressing feelings easier through images, fostering a sense of belonging and improving overall wellbeing.

Jonas, a 15-year-old user, described the app as creative and engaging, helping him process daily experiences.

Users reported that the app facilitates interaction and play, which are vital for child development and promoting socialization among peers.

The Children's Commissioner, Rocio Cifuentes, highlighted the importance of addressing school attendance issues exacerbated by the pandemic, noting a significant increase in absences due to anxiety.

Cardiff council emphasized the importance of young people's input in developing the app, ensuring it meets their communication needs.

Initial findings from the app's pilot suggest it has led to increased social connections and reduced anxiety levels among users in Cardiff and Swansea schools.

Participants like Lili, a 16-year-old tester, found the app helpful in discussing emotions and serving as an icebreaker for conversations with counselors, particularly for those with social anxiety.

Ms. McMillan noted that increased social connection could encourage young people to return to education in various ways.

The Children's Commissioner for Wales supports interventions that promote emotional wellbeing in young people, including technology that engages them.

The AR experience enhances real-world environments with computer-generated content, allowing users to interact with their surroundings in new and meaningful ways.