Using mobile device sensors to track children's screen time
Official title: Leveraging Embedded Mobile Device Sensors for Detection of Children's Mobile Screen Use: Examining Feasibility and Performance
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11065809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the sensors in smartphones and tablets can help us better understand how much time kids spend on screens by figuring out who is using the device, making it easier to get accurate information about their screen habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | December 17, 2024 |
| Project end | December 16, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $41,902 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HD115296-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 years who use mobile devices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use mobile devices or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how built-in sensors in mobile devices can accurately measure children's screen time by identifying who is using the device. It aims to overcome the limitations of current methods, such as direct observation and self-reporting, which often fail to capture the true nature of screen use. By employing machine learning models trained on data from sensors like accelerometers and gyroscopes, the study seeks to improve the accuracy of screen time measurements for children. This innovative approach could provide valuable insights into children's mobile device usage patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate tracking of children's screen time, helping parents and healthcare providers better understand and manage children's mobile device use.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of mobile device sensors for behavioral monitoring is established, applying this technology specifically to measure children's screen time is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Finnegan, Olivia — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Finnegan, Olivia
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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.