Family wearables – what makes them persuasive?

In recent years, digital influence has become visible in many different forms, and consequently, the understanding of what is and what is not persuasive calls for further elaboration. Spring boarding from an analysis of two wearable activity trackers, this paper seeks to contribute to the discussion of characteristics of persuasive design, by arguing that although principles commonly applied in persuasive technologies are present, it may not justify that a technology is defined as persuasive. The rhetorical concept of peithenanke is introduced, in order to explain the subtle nuances of different types of behaviour design, and to support previously made arguments that transparency and ethics are fundamental qualities of persuasion, which should not be overlooked neither in theory nor in practice.