Sun Safe Together: a digital skin cancer prevention approach for teens and their parents
Official title: A Digital Skin Cancer Prevention Intervention for Adolescents and Their Parents
Run by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey · NCT07681791 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, single-arm trial will test whether a 12-week digital program using teen MMS messages and a private Facebook group for parents can feasibly and acceptably improve sun safety among adolescents and their parents.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 104 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New Brunswick, New Jersey) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2027 |
| Study ends | December 2027 |
| Registry record updated | August 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07681791 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are teens 13-17 who live with a participating parent in the US, have recent sun exposure or suboptimal sun protection, access to a smartphone, and English proficiency, along with a parent who has internet and a Facebook account.
✕Probably not a fit
Teens or parents who do not engage with the digital program or who have barriers to smartphone/Facebook use may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot study tests a digital skin cancer prevention program called Sun Safe Together (SST) for teens aged 13-17 and their parents. It will measure feasibility of enrolling teen-parent dyads, engagement with the messages, and data-collection processes such as daily diaries and a UV exposure dosimeter. The intervention delivers sun-safety and general health messages to teens via MMS and provides a private Facebook space for parents. Outcomes include enrollment, engagement, acceptability, and retention at 3 and 6 months. The study is led by Rutgers with collaboration from the NCI and is conducted at Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, NJ.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SST could be a scalable way to improve sun-protective behaviors in teens and support parental involvement in prevention.
How similar studies have gone: Previous prevention programs with digital delivery have shown feasibility in similar adolescent populations, but this specific parent-teen MMS/Facebook approach is exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Parents and teens are participating as dyads, meaning both the parent and the teen need to be deemed eligible based on the criteria below to be able to participate. Teens * Must be ages 13-17 years * Live with study parent equal to or greater than half time in US * Have experienced sunburn or indoor tanned in the last year or have a suboptimal sun protection score * Have no personal history of melanoma or severe medical condition that prevents participation * Have access to smartphone * Speak and read English Parents/Guardians * Must be age 18 or older * Live with a teen equal to or greater than half time in US * Have a teen who had experienced sunburn or indoor tanned in the last year or have a suboptimal sun protection score * Have no personal history of melanoma or severe medical condition that prevents participation * Have internet at home, a Facebook account, and be willing to use Facebook daily * Have access to smartphone * Speak and read English
Where it's running
-
Rutgers Cancer Institute
New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Carolyn Heckman, PhD — Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.