Is there a place for the use of smartwatch activity trackers by young children?
Abstract Overview
Background: Smartwatch activity trackers are devices that measure physical activity levels with features that aim to encourage physically active behaviours. These devices have shown promise for increasing physical activity levels among school-aged children, adolescents, and adults. However, it is unclear whether the use of these devices is feasible and effective in young children.
Purpose: To explore parental perspectives on the use of smartwatch activity trackers by young children.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 parents of children aged 3 – 5 years exploring their perspectives on the feasibility, potential implications and roles of smartwatch activity tracker use by young children. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and data analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Preliminary analysis indicates that parents perceive that the use of these devices by young children is feasible, and that temperament and developmental stage/abilities are important considerations. Parents reported concerns related to the potential negative impact of the devices providing extrinsic motivation to move (e.g. providing updates on daily activity goals), the guilt parents may feel with low physical activity measures, and the safety and privacy of their child’s information. Most parents believed that young children are inherently active and do not need devices to support physically active behaviours. However, most parents were interested to know how much physical activity their children were doing and that there may be a role for these devices for children who are less physically active.
Conclusions: Parents reported temperament and developmental stage/abilities are relevant when considering the feasibility of smartwatch activity tracker use by young children. Parents also believed there is limited role for these devices in young, active children.
Practical implications: Further research should explore the role for smartwatch activity trackers to support families of inactive young children.
Funding: Curtin School of Allied Health 2023 Teaching and Research Grant.
Additional Authors
Name: Juliana Zabatiero
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Amber Beynon
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Charlotte Rasmussen
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: yes
Name: Danica Hendry
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Sarah Stearne
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Courtenay Harris
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Leon Straker
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Name: Amity Campbell
Affiliation: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Australia.
Presenting Author: no
Information
Study Type: Measurement or surveillance
Subtheme: New Technology
Population Group: Early Childhood
Setting: Family
Submitting Author
Ray Davey
Lecturer
Curtin University
Australia