Mission
This is for all the Internet Addicts
WanaBuddy was born from personal experience;
At some level, most addicts don't want to be addicts. But for deep psychological reasons it can feel impossibly difficult to 'just quit'.
No matter how many tools, strategies and support networks we learn and build, there are times when we open our laptops or turn on our phones and... in that moment, we have already lost the fight.
Sure, we could theoretically reach out for support. But as every addict knows, the shame, guilt, despair (and sometimes just the time of night) means we simply cannot.
What we really need is a buddy to step in on our behalf and catch us in that moment. And we need them right there and then.
We need someone to have our backs. Someone who gets it. Someone who can help us make a different choice with kindness and compassion. Someone who will not judge us or make the shame worse.
WanaBuddy is that someone.
It may not be a person, but it was born from personal experience, and it will be there in those moments, proactively helping make a different choice. It is a hand reached out in support to fellow addicts.
We get it. We've got your back, in the moments when you need it the most.
Addictions
What We Support
Our first supported addiction is:
We plan to expand to gambling, social media, news and gaming.
Product
What exactly is WanaBuddy?
Our goal is to make it as seamless as possible for WanaBuddy to be part of the user's internet experience.
We need to present options in the moment of temptation. Given the privacy controls and protections that user's enjoy today, this will have to be opt-in. Users will likely need to install or configure the appropriate WanaBuddy products, depending on their usage patterns.
What The user Experiences
The aim is to identify the exact moment when a user starts an addictive 'session' and proactively engage them with a 'buddy' approach. At the very least, we can offer therapeutically-informed, non-coercive alternatives.
The user can choose an alternative, or choose to continue with their addiction. Our goal is to be a buddy, not a 'hard' block. Addicts know how to work around such blockers and they don't help in the long-term.
Our priority is to be a therapeutically helpful ally. We are always on the side of the addict, working with them, not against them.
How can I get it?
WanaBuddy is currently in the prototyping stage.
That means we are actively working on a first public release.
If you are interested in testing out the beta version, do get in touch.
Partners
Solving The Challenges Together
Delivery Partners
We actively seek to expand our providers of alternatives for addicts. This could include:
- Apps offering support for addicts
- Online support communities
- Webinars, online programmes and resources
- Charities and social enterprises working with porn addiction, or interested in developing greater expertise in meeting addicts online
Funding Bodies
We are always interested in exploring partnerships with charities, funding entities, and government bodies who are seeking to make a tangible difference to a large number of users.
Technical Collaborations
WanaBuddy is interested in working with technology partners to expand our ability and expertise in meeting addicts at their point of need.
If you are interested in discussing possible partnerships, please do say hello.
Work With Us
We're Looking For Help
We are particularly interested in people with the following skillsets:
If you would like to know more, send a message.
About
Alastair has been developing software for over 15 years and is just completing his training as a psychotherapist.
He is as old as one can be to have the experience of growing up with the internet in the bedroom as a teenager.
As a result, he has battled with porn as a high-functioning addict all his adult life, and suffered the impacts.
With the support and love of good friends, family and his partner, he has overcome his addictions and knows it is possible, though hard.
WanaBuddy is Alastair's soul-calling. His mission: to help his fellow addicts in those dark moments he knows so well - wishing something like this had been there for him.
Contact Us
