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Measuring Microtemporal Processes Underlying Preschoolers' Screen Use and Behavioral Health: Protocol for the Tots
Layton Reesor-Oyer1, Hannah Parker1, Sarah Burkart1
1Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States.
JMIR Research Protocols
|September 28, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a new method to accurately measure children's screen time and related behaviors using objective tools. The findings will help improve future research on digital media's impact on child development.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Digital Media Research
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Excessive screen time in children is linked to negative health and behavioral outcomes.
- Previous research faced limitations due to retrospective screen time reports and lack of daily process data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and utility of a comprehensive protocol for measuring digital media use and screen time context.
- To recruit a racially and economically diverse sample of preschoolers and their families for the Tots and Tech study.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal, observational study involving 100 caregiver-child dyads (children aged 3-5 years).
- Objective measurement of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep using accelerometers (Axivity AX3) for 30 days.
- Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for caregivers over 1 week to capture child behavior, caregiver stress, and child screen time.
Main Results:
- The Tots and Tech study enrolled participants between September 2020 and May 2022.
- The study aimed to enroll 100 caregiver-child dyads.
- Outcome paper publication was anticipated in 2022.
Conclusions:
- The Tots and Tech study addresses methodological limitations by integrating objective screen time, physical activity, and sleep measures with EMA-contextual data.
- The protocol's feasibility and utility will be evaluated for objective mobile screen time and accelerometry combined with EMA in caregiver-child dyads.
- This study protocol can inform future research for more accurate measurement of screen time and its associated factors.
