Pediatric Collections: Digital Media: Part 3: Use of Media as a Tool

Pediatric Collections offers what you need to know - original, focused research in a snapshot approach. Technology can be leveraged as a tool to measure digital media use and eventually intervene, including a mobile app to track child smartphone and tablet use, which revealed insights about problematic content often accessed on devices. Future studies could use mobile apps and help families set limits and change design features, to support healthier relationships with media with tailored precision and accuracy.

Part 3 of this collection reflects how well-designed technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to expand the possibilities of play with imagination and envision a world where child-centered design can improve children's wellbeing. Digital media can be leveraged as a distraction tool to reduce pain in prehospital settings. As technology becomes more sophisticated and can integrate children's responses, there is the potential for it to contingently respond to children and act as a social partner. This may provide a more tailored and individualized approach to education and learning that meets children where they are developmentally.