Understanding how parents use digital media with their infants

Putting infants' media exposure in context: The Ecology of Media Use (EMU) study

['FUNDING_P01'] · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · NIH-10913317

This study looks at how parents' mental health affects how they use digital media around their babies, and how that media use might influence their little ones' emotional growth, so we can find better ways for families to use screens together.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_P01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorGEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10913317 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between parents' mental health and their use of digital media around infants. It aims to understand how parents utilize media to meet various needs and how this usage affects their children's emotional development. By examining real-time media use in diverse family contexts, the study seeks to identify patterns and associations that could inform better practices for media exposure in early childhood. The research will involve collecting data on both parent and child media interactions over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of infants aged 0-11 months who are interested in understanding the impact of media on their child's development.

Not a fit: Parents of older children or those who do not use digital media may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for media use that support healthier emotional development in infants.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding family dynamics and media use can significantly impact child development, suggesting that this approach is promising.

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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.