FaceyBuk

Overview

A video chatting app that helps long-distance families stay connected through shared reading. Built during HackNYU Fall 2025.

Problems

• Many families are separated by immigration, military deployment, or work schedules
• Declining literacy rates among young children
• Over-reliance on low-quality screen time

Problem Statement

How might we make screen time more interactive to support child development and familial bonds?

Research

• The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for children under 3, with the exception of video calls.
• Co-viewing with prompting increases information processing.
• 1 in 5 children enter kindergarten with reading skills three years below their grade level.

Conclusion: Video calls + Reading = Ideal screentime

Solution

On The Go Storyteller

• Parent and child join a synced reading session
• Parent controls story pacing line-by-line
• Text updates in real time across both screens
• Characters animate and speak using text-to-speech

This transforms everyday calls into guaranteed learning experiences.

Process

Demo

Outcome

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

• 1st in Interactive Media Arts
• Best Use of ElevenLabs

Notes

Interested in the technical side? Read our Devpost!