LoFi to X and Y: Background Media Agents as Assistive Tech for Neurodivergent People

Research Overview

This research explores the role of LoFi media environments (LME) as a form of assistive or augmentative technology for neurodivergent individuals. While traditional media psychology frames background media as a cognitive distraction, my work challenges these assumptions by considering alternative benefits, including emotional regulation, task engagement, and parasocial interactions. Through a mixed-method approach, I investigate how neurodivergent people co-opt LoFi media as an informal assistive tool, revealing novel insights into its applications and implications for design.

Research Questions

1. What are the key design elements and interaction affordances of LoFi media?

2. How do neurodivergent individuals incorporate background media into their work and study practices?

3. How does background media provide functional or emotional benefits to neurodivergent users?

4. How can LoFi media environments be intentionally designed as assistive and augmentative technology?

Methods & Iterative Research Process

This project employs a multi-stage, iterative research design integrating qualitative and quantitative methods:

1. Data Collection

• Ethnographic Observations & Content Analysis

  • Over time, I documented LoFi media environments across YouTube, Twitch, and other streaming platforms, analyzing trends in visual aesthetics, parasocial engagement, and stated user intentions.

• Survey & Interview Studies

  • Conducted structured interviews and open-ended surveys with neurodivergent adults to explore their use cases for LoFi media in work, study, and emotional regulation.

• Behavioral and Sentiment Analysis

  • Analyzed comment sections, forum discussions, and live chat logs from LoFi media communities to identify recurring themes in user engagement and self-reported experiences.

2. Data Analysis

• Thematic Analysis

  • Coded qualitative data to identify patterns in how neurodivergent users describe their interactions with LoFi media.

• Comparative Analysis

  • Cross-referenced findings with existing media psychology literature to highlight discrepancies in conventional understandings of background media effects.

3. Iterative Refinement & Design Exploration

Each phase of research informed the next, allowing me to refine my research focus dynamically. Early interviews revealed that emotional regulation was a core function of LoFi use, prompting a deeper investigation into parasocial interaction theories. This, in turn, led to focused studies on passive agent LoFi (PALs) and their design implications.

Initial Research Findings

• LoFi media serves as an informal assistive technology for many neurodivergent individuals, supporting focus, emotional regulation, and social comfort.

• Parasocial engagement plays a critical role in LoFi’s effectiveness—users describe feeling a sense of accountability or comfort through the presence of recurring characters (e.g., LoFi Girl, Abao).

• The design of LoFi environments influences their effectiveness, with factors like animation type, ambient noise, and thematic consistency shaping user engagement.

• Current research paradigms underestimate the benefits of background media, particularly for individuals who struggle with conventional study/work strategies.

Design Implications & Next Steps

These findings suggest a need for more inclusive approaches to designing background media. Moving forward, my research will:

• Develop guidelines for designing intentional assistive background media that leverages passive agent LoFi (PALs) more effectively.

• Prototype and test adaptive LoFi environments that respond to user needs, such as stress levels or task difficulty.

• Expand the study to different neurodivergent populations, ensuring a broader understanding of how background media functions across diverse cognitive and emotional landscapes.

Conclusion

LoFi media environments represent an untapped avenue for assistive technology design. By recognizing and formalizing their augmentative benefits, we can move beyond traditional deficit-based frameworks and explore new possibilities for neurodivergent support in digital spaces.