Abstract
BackgroundEmpirically supported treatments for pediatric sleep problems exist, but many families turn to other sources for help with their children’s sleep, such as smartphone apps. Sleep apps are easy for families to access, but little evidence exists regarding the validity of the services and information provided in the developer descriptions of the apps.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to examine the features and claims of developer descriptions of sleep apps for children.MethodsA search of the Apple iTunes store and Google Play was conducted using the terms “kids sleep,” “child sleep,” and “baby sleep.” Data on the type of app, price, user rating, and number of users were collected. Apps were analyzed in comparison with evidence-based behavioral strategies and were thematically coded on the basis of claims provided in developer descriptions.ResultsA total of 83 app descriptions were examined, of which only 2 (2.4%) offered sleep improvement strategies. The majority were sound and light apps (78%) and 19% were bedtime games or stories. Only 18 of 83 (21.6%) apps were identified as containing empirically supported behavioral sleep strategies. Despite this, many apps asserted claims that they will help children “fall asleep instantly,” “cry less and sleep better,” or improve child development.ConclusionsA large variety of sleep apps exist for use among children, but few include evidence-based behavioral strategies according to the developer descriptions of the apps. Addressing sleep difficulties in children is important to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Collaboration between sleep researchers and technology developers may be beneficial for creating evidence-supported apps to help with children’s sleep in the future.
Highlights
Sleep problems in young children are common and associated with significant negative behavioral and physical consequences for children as well as increased sleep disruption and stress for their parents [1]
A large variety of sleep apps exist for use among children, but few include evidence-based behavioral strategies according to the developer descriptions of the apps
Another study examined empirical evidence contained within the developer descriptions of sleep apps targeted to adults from Google Play and found that only 33% of sleep apps contained empirical evidence to support claims made in the app descriptions [7]
Summary
Sleep problems in young children are common and associated with significant negative behavioral and physical consequences for children as well as increased sleep disruption and stress for their parents [1]. One study examined behavioral constructs contained within the apps to evaluate how well these apps are grounded in behavioral theory, which has a strong evidence base for sleep interventions [6]. Authors found a positive but nonsignificant association between higher user rating of the app and number of behavioral constructs. User ratings were higher for apps that contained a “sleep tip” function, regardless of whether these tips were based on empirical evidence. Sleep apps available on the market may not be grounded in behavioral constructs or contain evidence-based information, but this has not yet been examined for apps aimed at children. Supported treatments for pediatric sleep problems exist, but many families turn to other sources for help with their children’s sleep, such as smartphone apps. Sleep apps are easy for families to access, but little evidence exists regarding the validity of the services and information provided in the developer descriptions of the apps
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
