TY  - JOUR
AU  - DeWitt, Akeiylah
AU  - Kientz, Julie
AU  - Liljenquist, Kendra
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/11/8
TI  - Quality of Mobile Apps for Child Development Support: Search in App Stores and Content Analysis
JO  - JMIR Pediatr Parent
SP  - e38793
VL  - 5
IS  - 4
KW  - mobile health technologies
KW  - early childhood health promotion
KW  - child development
KW  - parent support technologies
KW  - pediatrics
KW  - parenting
KW  - mobile app
KW  - mobile health
KW  - mHealth
KW  - mobile phone
AB  - Background: Following increases in smartphone access, more parents seek parenting advice through internet sources, including blogs, web-based forums, or mobile apps. However, identifying quality apps (ones that respond to the diverse experiences of families) for guidance on child development can be challenging. Objective: This review of mobile health apps aimed to document the landscape, design, and content of apps in the United States available to parents as they promote their child’s developmental health. Methods: To understand the availability and quality of apps for early childhood health promotion, we completed a content analysis of apps in 2 major app stores (Google Play and Apple App stores). Results: We found that most apps do not provide tailored experiences to parents, including cultural considerations, and instead promote generic guidance that may be useful to parents in some contexts. We discuss the need for an evaluative framework to assess apps aimed to support parents on child development topics. Conclusions: Future work is needed on how to support designers in this area, specifically related to avoiding potential burdens on users and providing culturally informed and equity-driven experiences. 
SN  - 2561-6722
UR  - https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2022/4/e38793
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/38793
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36346656
DO  - 10.2196/38793
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/38793
ER  -