Understanding how children use digital media and its effects on their development

Growing up in a digital world: A synergistic approach to understanding media use in children ages 1-8 years

NIH-funded research Georgetown University · NIH-10913316

This study is looking at how kids between 1 and 8 years old use digital media and how it affects their feelings and social skills, so families can understand the best ways to support their children's development.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorgetown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913316 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how children aged 1 to 8 years interact with digital media and the impact of this exposure on their emotional and social development. Using a new toolkit called the Comprehensive Assessment of Family Media Exposure (CAFE), the study will gather detailed information about the content and context of media use in families. By following 1200 children over time, the research aims to identify patterns in media use and their associations with children's emotional regulation and social skills.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 1 to 8 years who regularly use digital media.

Not a fit: Families with children outside the age range of 1 to 8 years or those who do not engage with digital media may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights that help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about media use for young children, potentially enhancing their emotional and social development.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding media exposure effects on child development, but this approach with the CAFE toolkit is innovative and aims to fill existing gaps.

Where this research is happening

Washington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.