Overview

This pilot project primarily aimed to work with parents to prototype educational intervention materials focusing on increasing positive and effective smartphone habits while parenting, as well as provide alternative activities and opportunities for parent-infant bonding.

To align with the funding’s scheme goals, I employed co-design methods in the form of focus groups and workshops. Initially, I explored the experiences of parents with infants under 12 months old, focusing on their attitudes towards their own smartphone use. Secondly, I explored with the parents the potential need for, and acceptability of, educational materials for effective smartphone use. The parents participated in three workshop sessions, across three weeks, discussing topics including ‘existing messages in the media around parenting and smartphone use’ ‘feelings of judgement for using smartphones in public’, ‘where parents go for information’, ‘the use of AI when parenting’ and ‘what are the features of effective parenting resources’. As part of the co-design approach, some of these topics were participant generated.

The parents were also engaged in testing and providing feedback for a small suite of prototyped paper-based resources (e.g., posters, leaflets) as well as video-based resources (short videos designed for social media platforms). This project therefore aimed to establish which materials were deemed acceptable by parents to be designed and created through future grant awards, as well as grow PPIE activity as part of the project I am leading.

Outcomes

Participants were able to give feedback on a number of features that they felt would make the prototyped resources more appealing to parents. Their input will be instrumental in ensuring that the design of the resources is useful for parents who might be seeking out information and support in this area. I feel that the primary objectives of the study were met through this work.

In addition to insights on the prototyped resources, up to three academic manuscripts will be produced from the additional data which was collected across the workshops, and sent for peer review with a view to be published:

1. A reflexive thematic analysis of parents’ attitudes to the use of AI when parenting

2. A comparative thematic analysis of mothers’ and fathers’ experiences of using a smartphone while parenting an infant

3. A process evaluation of a co-design workshop approach with new parents

Future Directions

To make sure to extend the impact of this project, I am interested in sourcing funding that would allow me to develop the resources professionally. I would be eager to collaborate with a designer to create a small suite of resources based on the parents’ input. For example, this might include a selection of leaflets and small booklets that could be printed off and used by parent-facing practitioners with parents. I would also like to create some easy to digest videos sharing the thoughts of the parents. I would like to develop these to be housed on a website that allows access to parents and practitioners. Currently, I am not sure of any calls that this would fit within remit, but am looking into knowledge exchange and impact funds which may be suitable (e.g., CAHSS KEI grant).