Young Children’s Mobile Device Use in Public Places: Immersion, Distraction, and Co-Use

Though prior research has examined how parents use mobile devices in public, we know less about children’s of outside the home. The present study therefore explores children public places they visit with their order to conceptualize device affects interactions and environments. We used naturalistic non-participant observational methods three locations US: eateries, laundromats, airports. observed 77 families at least one parent child estimated be between 2-6 years old. observers wrote detailed field notes that analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. found 31% families. categorized behaviors under themes: immersion, distraction, co-use. Children were highly engaged environment during However, when asked for a or provided on own, Engagement levels corresponded circumstances whether isolation from them. themes develop here may applied future qualitative quantitative studies