Recreo

Inspiration

Growing up in Guayaquil, Ecuador, I saw Gen Alpha and Gen Z peers spend upwards of four hours a day on screens while schools relied on blunt phone bans that failed to build self-regulation. I created Recreo Spanish for "recess" and a play on re + creo ("I recreate myself") to replace restriction with positive offline reinforcement and peer support.

What it does

Recreo is a school-based program that combines a companion app, peer accountability "squads," and a digital-wellness curriculum. It rewards offline activities with Recreo Points for school privileges and provides an opt-in, non-punitive pathway to connect struggling students with counselors.

How I built it

I designed Recreo as a cross-platform app using React Native paired with a React dashboard for school coordinators. The system uses privacy-by-design architecture to handle offline time logging, moderated squad spaces, and optional daily mood check-ins scored on a 1 to 5 scale.

Challenges I ran into

The hardest part was building a digital tool that reduces screen time without reproducing addictive mechanics. I had to intentionally strip out infinite feeds and public likes while balancing useful counselor alerts against student privacy.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I successfully developed an end-to-end framework that turns phone-free time into a positive social experience. I am proud of creating a respectful bridge to mental health support that avoids spyware-style tracking and protects student trust.

What I learned

I learned that lasting habit change requires replacement rather than simple restriction. Giving students gamified incentives and a supportive peer group turns cutting back on screen time from an isolating chore into a shared norm.

What's next for Recreo

I plan to run a pilot across 2–3 private schools in Guayaquil to test the MVP app and refine the curriculum. After evaluating the impact, I aim to expand across Latin America through public school partnerships and CSR grants.

Built With

• cloudmade
• platform