Research

MITTen Study

The Michigan Interactive Tech in Toddlers (MITTen) Study is a 3-year study with 1 annual study visit each year for 3 years. This study is for parents of children aged 24-26 months. If your child is not yet 24 months, we can keep you on a waiting list for the study until your child turns 2 years old! We are interested in learning about child social and emotional development, play, and media use. In this study, our research team will complete a study visit with you and your child either in our lab or at your home, depending on your preference. At the visit, we would complete some questionnaires with you, play some study games with you and your child, videotape you and your child playing together, download our study app onto your and your chi'ds mobile devices (if applicable) or take screenshots of your ScreenTime useage, as well as collect your child's YouTube history if applicable. We would repeat this process 2 more times when your child turns 3 and 4.

This study is currently enrolling new parents, please contact us if interested in participating!

E-Mail: parentingtech@umich.edu

Text or Call: 734-249-8155

See more information on UMHealthResearch: https://UMHealthResearch.org/#studies/HUM00192216 

Growing up in a Digital World

This supplemental study is being offered to those enrolled in the MITTen Study - In addition to your scheduled 3 study visits, there would be 3 separate, completely virtual timepoints when your child is 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 years old. We would ask you to re-download the mobile device study app for 1 week, complete some one-time surveys, and also complete some surveys and a time diary every other day during the 1-week study.

If you are currently enrolled in the MITTen Study and are interested in participating, or would like to hear more about both of these studies, please reach out to us at:

E-Mail: parentingtech@umich.edu

Text or Call: 734-249-8155

Completed Studies and Projects:

Pediatric Early Autism Recognition System (PEARS) Study

This study evaluated a new primary care model in which at-risk toddlers could receive a level-2 screening test for autism, to help clarify autism concerns and expedite their care. 

Family Experiences with Media Study

The Family Experiences with Media Study (FEM) is an interview study for parents of children aged 20-48 months where we discuss the digital media that parents and children use on a regular basis, and how parents feel about that technology. We want to hear parents' honest opinions about the design of the apps, games, and other digital media that their families use most often.

Design Abuses in Children’s Apps

This project focuses on the techniques app designers use to lure consumers into in-app purchases, watching ads, and holding consumers' attention for as long as possible.

MICHR Pathway to Independence Award 

Family Pandemic Experiences Study

This survey evaluated the experiences of over 300 families living throughout Michigan and raising 5-10 year olds during the winter of 2020. We are examining how contextual factors like remote schooling, material hardship, and child media use associate with wellbeing. 

Funded by the Towsley-White Award through the Department of Pediatrics 

Talk and Tech Study

The Talk and Tech Study aims to gather information regarding parent-child interactions and mobile device use. Data collection methods for this study include parent surveys and using continuous mobile device-based passive sensing of the parent’s mobile device use through a device tracking app coordinated with simultaneous audio-recording of parent-child interaction using Language Environment Analysis (LENA) technology.

NIH Grant ID 1K23HD092626

Preschooler Tablet Study

This research project aims to learn more about how preschool aged children use mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, throughout their day. Parents complete surveys and use app tracking software on their child's device to collect data on app usage (e.g., duration, frequency, apps used). This is a longitudinal study in which families participate at three different time points over the course of six months.

NIH Grant ID 1R21HD094051