Mobile Media Devices Research Articles

Exploring Historical Scientific Instruments by Using Mobile Media Devices

We describe an educational activity that can be completed with mobile media devices in order to understand the working principle of a pair of tuning forks, from the Historical Collection of Physics Instruments of the University of Palermo, and how they were used to explain acoustic interference and beats with the Lissajous optical method. This approach can be used with any tuning fork and it is a valuable teaching strategy that does not require specific laboratory equipment.

Screens for infants and preschool children: Assessment of medical prevention with parents and assessment of exposure

BackgroundRegarding the massive increase of interactive mobile screen household equipment and the omnipresence of television, many recommendations are in favor of a limitation of use, especially among the youngest. ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the proportion of parents who report having discussed the subject of their child's exposure to screens during a consultation with a health professional.We also aimed to assess preschool exposure to television and mobile media devices, and to explore parents’ views on the benefits and risks of exposing their children under 3 years old. MethodsA questionnaire was administered to parents of children aged 6 months to 3 years in a pediatric emergency ward and several nurseries. This observational, cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted from January to May 2019. ResultsWe included 451 responses in the analyses. Only 99 (22.7%; 95% CI: 18.7–26.6) parents reported having discussed their child's exposure to screens with a doctor, on the initiative of the parents themselves for 52 households (53.1%; 95% CI: 43.2–62.9). Feelings of a benefit of screens on child learning concerned 134 (34.5%; 95% CI: 29.8–39.3) parents; 300 (68.5%; 95% CI: 64.1–72.8) said they were sufficiently informed about benefits and risks. In a typical week, 240 (53.7%; 95% CI: 49.1–58.3), 160 (35.8%; 95% CI: 31.3–40.2), and 58 (13.0%; 95% CI: 9.9–16.1) children were exposed at least once a week to television, smartphones, and tablets, respectively. ConclusionsOur study showed that the theme of exposure to screens was hardly addressed by physicians in consultation. Our findings help target prevention messages, including fighting the widespread belief that media are beneficial to child development, emphasizing the importance of screen-free time (eating, going to bed, after waking up) and encouraging support and interaction during exposure in families who choose to expose their children.

Is Covid-19 lockdown related to an increase of accesses for seizures in the emergency department? An observational analysis of a paediatric cohort in the Southern Italy

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic of Covid-19 on 11 March 2020. The lockdown caused a lifestyle changes: an increase in the use of mobile media devices (MMDs), sleep and psychiatric disorders, incorrect habits regarding food and physical activities.We investigate prevalence of admission for seizures at our emergency department (ED), during Italian lockdown, comparing with that of the same period of the previous year (2019), and the relationship with some lifestyle changes.MethodsIn this observational study, patients (4–14 years) with seizures that accessed at our ED, during Italian lockdown, were eligible. Non-epileptic events and febrile seizures were excluded. We describe two groups: patients with new-onset seizures and not. Moreover, a questionnaire concerning use of MMDs and sleep habits was administered.ResultsFifty-seven patients were included; median age 8.03 years. Considering only paediatric medical emergencies, the prevalence of accesses for seizures was 2.6% (CI 95% 0.020–0.034), while the incidence was 0.94% (CI 95% 0.006–0.0149). There was a statistically significant difference with prevalence of previous years, χ2 102.21 (p = 0.0001). We also reported a difference in daily screen time (DST) (p = 0.001) and total sleep time (TST) (p = 0.045), in all population, between period pre- and during lockdown. A negative correlation between DST and seizures latency (Spearman’s ρ -0.426, p = 0.038) was found. In the two groups, the results were partially overlapping.ConclusionsDuring lockdown period, we assisted to an increase of accesses for seizures. It is conceivable that a sleep time change and/or higher MMD use could act as triggers for seizures.

Mothers\u2019 and fathers\u2019 media parenting practices associated with young children\u2019s screen-time: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundA major contributor to the growing obesity crisis is screen based sedentary behaviour among young children. Media parenting practices may be an important determinant of children’s screen time, however published research exploring the influence of parenting practices on children’s screen time has mainly focused on children’s television use and the parenting practices of the mother. This study examined children’s use of mobile media devices (as well as television use) and included the role of fathers in media parenting, allowing a fuller understanding of the role mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices play on children’s screen time in the current media environment.MethodsSecondary data analysis was conducted using data from 62 children between 1.5 and 5 years of age and their parents (39 mothers, 25 fathers), who were part of the Guelph Family Health Study - phase 2 pilot. Linear regression using generalized estimating equations was used to examine associations between media parenting practices and children’s weekday and weekend screen-time.ResultsMothers’ screen-time modeling, mealtime screen use, and use of screens to control behaviour were positively associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Mothers’ practices of monitoring screen-time and limiting screen-time were inversely associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Fathers’ mealtime screen use was positively associated with children’s weekday screen-time; whereas fathers’ monitoring screen-time and limiting setting were inversely associated with children’s weekday screen-time. Fathers’ modeling and use of screens to control behaviour was not significantly associated with children’s weekday screen time. While most associations were similar for weekend day screen time there were a few differences: Fathers’ use of screens to control behaviour was positively associated with children’s weekend screen-time. Mothers’ and fathers’ modeling and mealtime screen use were not significantly associated with children’s weekend screen time.ConclusionMothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices were associated with children’s screen-time. Interventions aimed at reducing children’s screen-time should address both mothers’ and fathers’ media parenting practices.

“I’m a news junkie . . . I like being informed”: Mobile news use by a newspaper’s digital subscribers

A mixed methods research project combining quantitative online survey results with semistructured interview data explored how a major metropolitan newspaper’s digital subscribers engage with mobile news. Themes of continuity indicate that motivations in traditional newspaper use remain salient in mobile news: information-seeking, the pleasure of reading and powerful daily habits surrounding news use. In addition, participants’ responses suggest additional situational or process gratifications from using mobile media devices, in addition to gratifications derived from content.

Correlates of mobile screen media use among children aged 0–8: a systematic review

ObjectiveThis study is a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature to identify the correlates of mobile screen media use among children aged 8 years and less.SettingHome or community-based studies were...

Children and Mobile Media devices

Children and Mobile Media devices

Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children.

Research on children's use of mobile media devices lags behind its adoption. The objective of this study was to examine young children's exposure to and use of mobile media devices. Cross-sectional study of 350 children aged 6 months to 4 years seen October to November 2014 at a pediatric clinic in an urban, low-income, minority community. The survey was adapted from Common Sense Media's 2013 nationwide survey. Most households had television (97%), tablets (83%), and smartphones (77%). At age 4, half the children had their own television and three-fourths their own mobile device. Almost all children (96.6%) used mobile devices, and most started using before age 1. Parents gave children devices when doing house chores (70%), to keep them calm (65%), and at bedtime (29%). At age 2, most children used a device daily and spent comparable screen time on television and mobile devices. Most 3- and 4-year-olds used devices without help, and one-third engaged in media multitasking. Content delivery applications such as YouTube and Netflix were popular. Child ownership of device, age at first use, and daily use were not associated with ethnicity or parent education. Young children in an urban, low-income, minority community had almost universal exposure to mobile devices, and most had their own device by age 4. The patterns of use suggest early adoption, frequent and independent use, and media multitasking. Studies are urgently needed to update recommendations for families and providers on the use of mobile media by young children.

Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children

Exposure and Use of Mobile Media Devices by Young Children

O fim da televisão, um fim ou um recomeço?

Resumo:O livro O Fim da Televisão revisita autores como Manuel Castells, Mario Carlón, Eliseo Verón, Carlos Scolari, Henry Jenkins, entre outros, com o intuito de atualizar algumas das principais discussões acerca do papel da TV no cenário atual. Questões como o implemento de dispositivos midiáticos móveis, as novas formas de consumo das produções audiovisuais, a multiplicação das telas e a interatividade do espectador, são levantadas como prognósticos do fim de um modelo de TV broadcasting, ao mesmo tempo que aponta a relação dos destinatários com os novos meios como ainda mediada pela linguagem herdada do modelo de TV tradicional.

Simultaneously accelerating OpenVG and SVG tiny with multimedia hardware

OpenVG and SVG Tiny are the most widely used de facto standards for accelerating 2D vector graphics output on various embedded systems, including smart phones and tablet PC's. In this paper, we present a cost-effective way of simultaneously accelerating both of OpenVG and SVG Tiny, based on the multimedia-processing hardware, which is wide-spread on mobile phones and media devices. Through the effective use of these multimedia processors, we successfully accelerated OpenVG and SVG Tiny at least 3.5 times to at most 30 times, even with less power consumption and less CPU usage.

From smartphones to iPad: Power users’ disposition toward mobile media devices

The spread of mobile media devices (MMDs), such as smartphones and tablet computers, has been markedly rapid around the world in recent years. The diffusion of mobile media technology has turned some early adopters into “power users,” using MMD more innovatively, efficiently and thoroughly than others. Going beyond the research of innovative users and heavy users, this study proposes the concept of power users by investigating the interactions between the power use of MMD and personality attributes, online activities as well as traditional media use. The findings showed that personality attributes were strong predictors for power use, which was also partially predicated by media multitasking and traditional media use. Research in this stream should assist in understanding the diffusion of mobile media technology and its impact on human interaction.

The comfort of mobile media

This debate article notes that there is currently a tendency to focus, understandably, upon what it is that mobile media do, that is to say their functionality. This piece argues that we need to open up our analysis to understand these devices as objects with which individuals may develop an attachment. The piece draws upon literature that uncovers the attachments that people create with everyday objects and suggests that mobile media devices, as prominent everyday devices that are intimately incorporated into routine bodily practices, need also to be thought of in these terms. Here it is argued that it is important that we don’t just think of these devices as portals onto virtual culture, but that we acknowledge that these objects also have a material connection with the owner. These personal attachments with everyday devices are yet to receive sustained attention, yet these connections are actually an important part of how mobile media have become such a prominent and embedded part of contemporary life. The aim of this article is to open up this additional dimension to the study of mobile media and to place it upon the collective analytical agenda for those researching new media forms.

Security, privacy, and personalization

The success of the next-generation of interactive TV systems will depend on the type and form of user interaction these systems can support. New services like social TV, direct image, and data up- and download from the set-top box, connectivity of the iTV system to the PC and other mobile media devices, pose the question of how to support security, privacy, and personalization. To investigate the (sometimes naïve) concepts of users of what changes an interactive TV system will bring for their living room behaviors in terms of security and privacy, and how to support these aspects regarding user interaction, we set up two ethnographic studies. Study one investigated users' assumptions and ideas on the concepts of security, privacy, and personalization in households that did currently not use interactive TV. This allowed us to understand possible problems in terms of security and privacy before the introduction of interactive TV. Study two investigated current practices and usages of media and devices, to understand what type of interaction concept would support the practices of the user best. The results show that new forms of user interaction must support personalized access to the content on the TV, that they must support security and privacy, and that they should enable new forms of connectivity for all devices used in the living room.

Apps: An Emerging Tool for SLPs

Apps: An Emerging Tool for SLPs