LET'S SLEEP!

Insufficient sleep has become a widespread issue among teens and young adults. A national study found that one third of Canadians do not obtain the recommended daily amount of sleep, including individuals between the ages of 16 and 20. Academic demands, extracurricular commitments, and social pressures frequently lead students to remain awake late into the night completing assignments or, in some cases, pulling all-nighters. Despite sleep being essential for cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and physical health, many young people consistently fail to achieve adequate rest.

This trend has raised concern at the provincial level, as chronic sleep deprivation is associated with both immediate and long-term negative outcomes. In response, the provincial government has contracted Paradigm Games, a studio recognized for developing educational and gamified learning experiences for youth, to design a mobile application focused on improving sleep hygiene among teens and young adults. The application must address foundational concepts such as sleep cycles, circadian rhythm, and the effects of sleep deprivation, while also being delivered in a format that is accessible and easy to use for the learners.

Adopting a gamified approach, the Paradigm Games aims to create an interactive learning environment that aligns with the digital habits of its target users. By integrating core sleep science concepts into an intuitive mobile platform, the initiative seeks to promote sustainable behavior change and improve sleep outcomes among teens and young adults, while maintaining a motivating and engaging learning experience.