Research in Brief: Mobile Applications to Promote Sun Protective Behaviors in Adolescents

Mobile app-based interventions, especially photoaging technologies for sun protective behaviors, are new and promising tools. We conducted a review of published studies to date that evaluate such mobile apps used in pediatric populations, and our analysis highlights short-term improvements in sun-protective behaviors, with over 90% of adolescent users (n = 365) reporting increased motivation to reduce UV exposure and 61.7%-63% of users (n = 205) reporting such apps encouraged them to avoid tanning or improve protection. Limitations of these studies include self-reported outcomes, short follow-up durations, and lack of data on social determinants. These mobile apps offer an engaging and promising tool that requires further research as a powerful set of tools to supplement traditional sun safety education, helping promote early prevention of skin cancers in children and adolescents.