Social anxiety can turn simple tasks, like asking for directions to a bathroom in a restaurant, into stressful experiences. For those affected, this barrier can discourage dining out or socializing altogether. A digital tool that provides the location and details of bathrooms in public spaces, such as restaurants, could offer a discreet way to navigate these situations without needing to ask for help.

How It Could Work

One approach could involve creating a web app or a feature within an existing platform, like Google Maps or Yelp, that displays bathroom locations in restaurants. Users could search for a venue and see a simple floor plan or diagram pointing out where the bathrooms are. The tool might also include additional details, such as whether the bathroom is single-stall, gender-neutral, or wheelchair-accessible. Data could be crowdsourced from users or gathered through partnerships with restaurants.

Who Would Benefit and Why

Primary users would include individuals with social anxiety, autism, or selective mutism, who often find verbal interactions challenging. However, others could also find the tool useful, such as parents with young children, tourists, or non-native speakers facing language barriers. Restaurants might participate to showcase their accessibility features, while platforms integrating the tool could enhance user engagement. Potential revenue streams include freemium features (e.g., offline access), sponsored listings for restaurants, or licensing the tool to existing apps.

Execution and Expansion

Starting with a minimal viable product (MVP)—such as a basic web app with crowdsourced data—could validate demand. Early efforts might focus on a pilot program in one city, encouraging contributions through gamification (e.g., badges for frequent submitters). Partnerships with mental health organizations could help reach target users. Over time, the tool could expand to include photos of bathroom entrances, real-time occupancy updates, or even features like "quiet zones" in other public spaces.

This idea addresses a specific but meaningful need, and its success could depend on community involvement and strategic integrations with existing platforms.