prikkelsoneerlijk

Prikkelsoneerlijk is a Dutch neologism that describes a design or communication approach in which the use of sensory stimuli is disclosed and used without deception or manipulation. The word combines prikkel (stimulus), zone (zone or domain), and eerlijk (honest).

Usage and context: The term is encountered in debates about digital ethics, marketing, and user experience design. Proponents argue that products should clearly indicate what stimuli they employ—such as push notifications, sound signatures, color schemes, or haptic feedback—and provide users with meaningful control over these stimuli. It contrasts with practices that rely on dark patterns or covert reinforcement to capture attention.

Principles: Transparency about what stimuli are used; user consent and control over intensity and frequency; easy opt-out; avoidance of misleading cues; consideration of vulnerable users. The aim is to respect user autonomy and reduce overstimulation.

Criticism and status: Prikkelsoneerlijk is a relatively new, informal term without formal standardization. Its usefulness depends on clear definitions and practical guidelines; some observers view it as overlapping with existing concepts such as ethical design and humane technology.

See also: Ethical design, Humane technology, Dark patterns, UX design.