Parent Perceptions of Mobile Device Use Among Preschool-Aged Children in Rural Head Start Centers

Objective: To describe child use and parents' beliefs and comfort with young children's use of mobile devices in low-income, rural communities. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The survey, which consisted of 18 multiple-part questions, was distributed to families at 5 Head Start/preschool centers in Colorado. Results: In total, 192 surveys were returned (28.5% response rate). Most children (92%) used a smart-phone or tablet at some frequency and most parents (90%) had downloaded apps specifically for their child. Education and ethnicity were related to parents' technology beliefs. Parent comfort with technology was positively associated with greater child use of technology (P < .001). Conclusions and Implications: Mobile device use was relatively high in this sample. Mobile devices appear to be a feasible platform to offer nutrition and physical activity education for this audience. Ensuring parent comfort with technology and apps will be important.