Digital tools to track kids' screen time, sleep, and activity
Digital Assessment Core
['FUNDING_P01'] · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11174338
This project uses apps and wearable sensors to passively track young children's screen use, sleep, and movement to show how the timing and amount of device use relate to sleep and behavior.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11174338 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will provide wearable activity trackers and use apps (including FLASH-TV and mobile-use trackers) to passively record children's screen time, sleep patterns, and physical activity with minimal effort from parents. The Digital Assessment Core supports three linked projects that use the same child cohort and measurement tools to study timing and type of device use, links to sleep and circadian timing, and impacts on executive function and weight. One project examines how parents can moderate these effects, and another focuses on evening mobile-device use in the home and its effects on sleep biology and daytime thinking skills. Most data collection takes place in the home using automated logging and wearables rather than intensive parent diaries.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged about 0–11 years (with their parents) who are willing to have screen use tracked by apps and to wear a wrist activity monitor as part of the study.
Not a fit: Families who do not want to use digital trackers, children older than the study age range, or children unable to wear or use the devices may not be able to participate or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give families and clinicians better measurement tools and clearer guidance to protect children's sleep, cognitive development, and healthy weight.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies relying on parent reports have been inconsistent, and while early sensor-based methods show promise for more accurate measurement, applying them to link timing of device use with sleep and cognition in young children is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MORENO, JENNETTE P — BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: MORENO, JENNETTE P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.