JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Wearable devices permit continuous, unobtrusive collection of data from children in their natural environments and could transform our understanding of child development. Although the use of wearable devices has begun to emerge in research involving children, few studies have considered families’ experiences and perspectives of participating in research of this kind.

Objective:

Using a mixed methods approach, we assessed parents’ and children’s experiences using LittleBeats in the home environment. LittleBeats is a new wearable device designed specifically for use with infants and young children that integrates audio, electrocardiogram, and motion sensors.

Methods:

In Study 1, semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 42 parents of children between 1 month and 9.5 years of age who completed 2 daylong LittleBeats recordings. In Study 2, 110 parents of children between 2 months and 5.5 years of age responded to an online questionnaire assessing their experience completing 3 daylong LittleBeats recordings in the home. Guided by the Digital Health Checklist, we assessed parental responses from both studies in relation to three key domains: (1) access and usability, (2) privacy, and (3) risks and benefits.

Results:

Across Studies 1 and 2, findings indicated varied experiences and perspectives of the LittleBeats device specifically and the research protocol, which was carried out remotely, more generally. Key findings indicated that the majority of parents viewed LittleBeats as easy to use and safe, and the remote visits as convenient. Parents' views about privacy related to the audio recordings were more varied. The use of machine learning algorithms (versus human annotators) in analysis of the audio data, having the ability to stop/pause recordings at any time, and/or the view that recordings reflected ordinary family life were some reasons cited by parents who expressed minimal, if any, privacy concerns. Varied risks and benefits were also provided, including perceived child dis/comfort, need to adjust routines to accommodate study, understanding gained from study procedures, and parent/child enjoyment participating in study.

Conclusions:

Based on parents’ thoughtful and specific feedback, several concrete changes can be implemented to improve the LittleBeats platform and, ultimately, parents’ and children’s experiences using child wearable devices in the home setting.