Young adults are increasingly exposed to food- and eating-related content on social media, which may influence their eating attitudes and behaviours. The SMILE (Social Media’s Impact on Lifestyle and Eating) programme was developed to explore how Instagram-based content can be designed to support healthy eating in a clear, credible, and emotionally safe way.
This study (Study 4 of the SMILE programme) aims to evaluate the usability, acceptability, and user experience of the SMILE Instagram-based intervention prototype among young adults aged 18–25 in the UK.
The purpose of the study is not to assess behaviour change or effectiveness, but to examine whether the intervention content can be comfortably understood, navigated, and engaged with in a real-world Instagram context, and to identify any usability or safety issues requiring refinement.
The study uses a single-session, remote usability design. Participants take part in one online session, where they interact with selected SMILE Instagram content and provide guided feedback on clarity, tone, engagement, and emotional safety. Brief questionnaires and discussion are used to support this feedback.
Findings will inform iterative refinement of the SMILE intervention prior to further evaluation.
