Causes and Consequences of Preschooler's Digital Media Use: The Role of Sleep, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Social Emotional Health

Summary

This is a multiyear observational cohort research study focused on children ages 3–5 examining the causes and consequences of digital media use. The project will use passive mobile sensing, accelerometry, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to objectively measure screen time content, timing, duration, and context. It aims to identify "digital phenotypes" — child-specific behavioral patterns — and evaluate their longitudinal associations with cardiovascular and mental health outcomes. Findings are intended to inform evidence-based digital media guidelines and personalized, just-in-time intervention strategies for young children and families.

What they want

Conduct a multiyear observational cohort study of preschoolers (ages 3–5) to: (1) use passive mobile sensing to objectively measure digital media timing, content, and duration; (2) use EMA and accelerometry to measure screen time context; (3) collect intensive longitudinal data on digital media use, sleep, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and behavior problems; (4) uncover micro-temporal dynamics and Granger causal relationships between health behaviors; (5) identify child-specific "digital phenotypes" quantifying heterogeneity in behavioral links; and (6) evaluate longitudinal associations between digital phenotypes and cardiovascular health risk (obesity) and mental health risk (internalizing/externalizing disorder symptoms).

Deliverables

Intensive longitudinal dataset on children's digital media use, sleep, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and behavior problems
Identification and characterization of digital phenotypes for preschool-aged children
Analysis of micro-temporal dynamics and Granger causal links between health behaviors
Longitudinal analysis of associations between digital phenotypes and cardiovascular/mental health outcomes
Evidence contributions to digital media guidelines for children under 5
Framework for personalized just-in-time interventions targeting multiple health behaviors

Technical requirements

Passive mobile sensing technology for objective measurement of digital media timing, content, and duration
Accelerometry for measurement of physical activity and sedentary behavior
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology
Intensive longitudinal data collection design
Statistical methods for Granger causality and heterogeneity analysis
Multiyear observational cohort design for children ages 3–5

Risks & flags

Highly specialized methodological requirements (passive mobile sensing + EMA + accelerometry in pediatric cohort) may narrowly favor research teams with pre-existing infrastructure
No response deadline, budget range, or solicitation number visible — may already be an awarded grant record from NIH RePORTER rather than an open competitive opportunity

Market context

inferred from NAICS

R&D in Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences (except Nanotech & Biotech)

NAICS 541715

US market size: $95B
Typical award: $100K – $50M+

Typical buyers

DoDNSFNIHNASADOE

Commonly required

DCAA-compliant accountingITARCMMC L2