How educational are ‘educational’ apps for young children? App store content analysis using the Four Pillars of Learning framework
Open accessAbstract
Experts have expressed concerns about the lack of evidence demonstrating that children’s “educational” applications (apps) have educational value. This study aimed to operationalize Hirsh-Pasek, Zosh, and colleagues' Four Pillars of Learning into a reliable coding scheme (Pillar 1: Active Learning, Pillar 2: Engagement in the Learning Process, Pillar 3: Meaningful Learning, Pillar 4: Social Interaction), describe the educational quality of commercially available apps, and examine differences in educational quality between free and paid apps. We analyzed 100 children’s educational apps with the highest downloads from Google Play and Apple app stores, as well as 24 apps most frequently played by preschool-age children in a longitudinal cohort study. We developed a coding scheme in which each app earned a value of 0–3 for each Pillar, defining lower-quality apps as those scoring ≤4, summed across the Four Pillars. Overall scores were low across all Pillars. Free apps had significantly lower Pillar 2 (Engagement in Learning Process) scores (t-test, p < .0001) and overall scores (t-test, p < .0047) when compared to paid apps, due to the presence of distracting enhancements. These results highlight the need for improved design of educational apps guided by developmental science.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Many popular apps have low educational quality and often include in-app purchases and ads, which may explain this finding.
“Many popular apps are of low educational quality and often contain in-app purchases and advertisements,5,92 which may bely this finding.”
From Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Technical Report (2026) · cites this paper as [92]
The Results and Discussion (pages unavailable) report that most sampled popular educational apps scored in the lower quality range and that free apps had high levels of disruptive advertising. The Discussion says some free apps incorporate in-app purchases and advertisements, but does not establish that in-app purchases are common across popular apps. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMany online videos and apps in the app store are low-quality despite having educational claims otherwise.
“Furthermore, many online videos and apps in the app store are low-quality, despite having educational claims otherwise.5,92”
From Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Technical Report (2026) · cites this paper as [92]
The Results report that 72 of 124 educational apps (58%) were classified as lower-quality, and the Discussion concludes that not all apps marketed as educational are equally educational. The paper does not establish that many online videos are low-quality; its assessment concerns apps. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
(2000) · Cited by 2,779 · see citing works
Hill, D., Ameenuddin, N., Chassiakos, Y. R., Cross, C., Hutchinson, J. W., Levine, A. E., Boyd, R. W., Mendelson, R. A., Moreno, M. A., & Swanson, W. S. (2016) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2591 · Cited by 1,604 · see citing works
Putting Education in “Educational” Apps
Hirsh‐Pasek, K., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R. M., Gray, J. H., Robb, M. B., & Kaufman, J. (2015) · Gothic.net · doi:10.1177/1529100615569721 · Cited by 1,163 · see citing works
Self-citationThe power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children
Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH, & COUNCIL ON COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA (2018) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2058 · Cited by 758 · see citing works
Self-citationHow People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School: Expanded Edition
(2000) · doi:10.17226/9853 · Cited by 353 · see citing works
Young students using iPads: App design and content influences on their learning pathways
Falloon, G. (2013) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2013.06.006 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
Young Children’s Use of Smartphones and Tablets
Radesky, J. S., Weeks, H. M., Ball, R., Schaller, A., Yeo, S., Durnez, J., Tamayo-Rios, M., Epstein, M., Kirkorian, H., Coyne, S., et al. (2020) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2019-3518 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Self-citationVisual Environment, Attention Allocation, and Learning in Young Children
Fisher, A. V., Godwin, K. E., & Seltman, H. J. (2014) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797614533801 · Cited by 281 · see citing works
Memory Constraints on Infant Learning From Picture Books, Television, and Touchscreens
Barr, R. (2013) · Child Development Perspectives · doi:10.1111/cdep.12041 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
(2014) · University of New Hampshire Scholars Repository (University of New Hampshire at Manchester) · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Associations Between Parenting, Media Use, Cumulative Risk, and Children's Executive Functioning
Linebarger, D. L., Barr, R., Lapierre, M. A., & Piotrowski, J. T. (2014) · Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics · doi:10.1097/dbp.0000000000000069 · Cited by 211 · see citing works
Third Party Tracking in the Mobile Ecosystem
Binns, R., Lyngs, U., Kleek, M. V., Zhao, J., Libert, T., & Shadbolt, N. (2018) · Web Science Conference · doi:10.1145/3201064.3201089 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Radesky, J. S., Eisenberg, S., Kistin, C. J., Gross, J., Block, G., ZUCKERMAN, B. S., & Silverstein, M. (2016) · The Annals of Family Medicine · doi:10.1370/afm.1976 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Self-citationYoung children's transfer of learning from a touchscreen device
Huber, B., Tarasuik, J. C., Antoniou, M. N., Garrett, C., Bowe, S. J., & Kaufman, J. (2015) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.010 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Less is more: How manipulative features affect children's learning from picture books
Tare, M., Chiong, C., Ganea, P. A., & DeLoache, J. S. (2010) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2010.06.005 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Modifying media content for preschool children: A randomized controlled trial
Christakis, D. A., Garrison, M. M., Herrenkohl, T., Haggerty, K., Rivara, F. P., Zhou, C., & Liekweg, K. (2013) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2012-1493 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Raising early achievement in math with interactive apps: A randomized control trial.
Outhwaite, L. A., Faulder, M., Gulliford, A., & Pitchford, N. J. (2019) · Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1037/edu0000286 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Are educational preschool apps designed to teach? An analysis of the app market
Callaghan, M. N., & Reich, S. M. (2018) · Learning Media and Technology · doi:10.1080/17439884.2018.1498355 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Differences in Parent-Toddler Interactions With Electronic Versus Print Books
Munzer, T. G., Miller, A. L., Weeks, H. M., Kaciroti, N., & Radesky, J. S. (2019) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2012 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Self-citationAdvertising in Young Children’s Apps: A Content Analysis
Meyer, M., Adkins, V., Yuan, N., Weeks, H. M., Chang, Y.-J., & Radesky, J. (2019) · Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics · doi:10.1097/dbp.0000000000000622 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Self-citationA Model and Measure of US Parents' Perceptions of Young Children's Parasocial Relationships
Bond, B. J., & Calvert, S. L. (2014) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2014.890948 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Hiniker, A., Lee, B., Kientz, J. A., & Radesky, J. S. (2018) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3173574.3174233 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Self-citationVosniadou, S. (2001) · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Music interferes with learning from television during infancy
Barr, R., Shuck, L. H., Salerno, K., Atkinson, E., & Linebarger, D. L. (2010) · Infant and Child Development · doi:10.1002/icd.666 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Linebarger, D. L., Brey, E. L., Fenstermacher, S. K., & Barr, R. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-45102-2_7 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Kannass, K. N., & Colombo, J. A. (2007) · Journal of Cognition and Development · doi:10.1080/15248370709336993 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Chiong C, & Shuler C (2010). Learning: Is there an app for that? Investigations of young children’s usage and learning with mobile devices and apps. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. http://joanganzcooneycenter.org/publication/learning-is-there-an-app-for-that/
- Vaala S, Ly A, & Levine MH (2015). Getting a read on the app stores: A market scan and analysis of children’s literacy apps. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. Retrieved from http://joanganzcooneycenter.org/publication/getting-a-read-on-the-app-stores-a-market-scan-and-analysis-of-childrens-literacy-apps/
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Papadakis, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2021.657895 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Association Between Screen Time Trajectory and Early Childhood Development in Children in China
Zhao, J., Yu, Z., Sun, X., Wu, S., Zhang, J., Zhang, D., Zhang, Y., & Jiang, F. (2022) · JAMA Pediatrics · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.1630 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Radesky, J. S., Kaciroti, N., Weeks, H. M., Schaller, A., & Miller, A. L. (2023) · JAMA Pediatrics · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4793 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Self-citationPrevalence and Characteristics of Manipulative Design in Mobile Applications Used by Children
Radesky, J. S., Hiniker, A., McLaren, C., Akgün, E., Schaller, A., Weeks, H. M., Campbell, S. W., & Gearhardt, A. N. (2022) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.17641 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Self-citationEarly Childhood and Digital Media
Barr, R., Kirkorian, H. L., Coyne, S. M., & Radesky, J. S. (2024) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108885751 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citationRibner, A., Coulanges, L., Friedman, S., Libertus, M. E., Hughes, C. H., Foley, S., Devine, R. T., Fink, E., Selby, A., Brocki, K. C., et al. (2021) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.08.068 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Mallawaarachchi, S. R., Anglim, J., Hooley, M., & Horwood, S. (2022) · Early Childhood Research Quarterly · doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.12.008 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Mobile Learning Applications for Refugees: A Systematic Literature Review
Drolia, M., Papadakis, S., Sifaki, E., & Kalogiannakis, M. (2022) · Education Sciences · doi:10.3390/educsci12020096 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement
Munzer, T. G., Parga-Belinkie, J., Milkovich, L. M., Tomopoulos, S., Ajumobi, T., Cross, C., Gerwin, R. L., Madigan, S. L., Psych, R., Radesky, J. S., et al. (2026) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2025-075320 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationEgert, F., Cordes, A.-K., & Hartig, F. (2022) · Educational Research Review · doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100472 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Hassinger‐Das, B., Brennan, S., Dore, R. A., Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh‐Pasek, K. (2020) · Annual Review of Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-devpsych-060320-095612 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Self-citationTaylor, G., Sala, G., Kołak, J., Gerhardstein, P. C., & Lingwood, J. (2024) · Educational Research Review · doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2024.100614 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Training of Executive Functions in Children: A meta-analysis of cognitive training interventions
Birtwistle, E., Chernikova, O., Wünsch, M., & Niklas, F. (2025) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440241311060 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Mallawaarachchi, S. R., Tieppo, A., Hooley, M., & Horwood, S. (2022) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2022.107492 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Kucirkova, N. I. (2023) · Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi:10.1111/camh.12648 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Why this app? How educators choose a good educational app
Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., Dubé, A. K., Kacmaz, G., Wen, R., & Alam, S. S. (2022) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104513 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Outhwaite, L. A., Early, E., Herodotou, C., & Herwegen, J. V. (2023) · British Journal of Educational Technology · doi:10.1111/bjet.13339 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Bower, C. A., Zimmermann, L., Verdine, B. N., Pritulsky, C., Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh‐Pasek, K. (2021) · Developmental Science · doi:10.1111/desc.13148 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Self-citationRai, J., Predy, M., Wiebe, S. A., Rinaldi, C. M., Zheng, Y., & Carson, V. (2023) · Pilot and Feasibility Studies · doi:10.1186/s40814-023-01266-6 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Reexamining models of early learning in the digital age: Applications for learning in the wild.
Barr, R., & Kirkorian, H. L. (2023) · Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition · doi:10.1037/mac0000132 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Screen Media Exposure in Early Childhood and Its Relation to Children’s Self-Regulation
Uzundağ, B. A., Altundal, M. N., & Keşşafoğlu, D. (2022) · Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies · doi:10.1155/2022/4490166 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Latent factors on the design and adoption of gamified apps in primary education
Cano, E. V., García, M. D. P. Q., Cadavieco, J. F., & Rodríguez-Arce, J. (2023) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-023-11797-3 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Learning apps at home prepare children for school
Niklas, F., Birtwistle, E., Mues, A., & Wirth, A. (2024) · Child Development · doi:10.1111/cdev.14184 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Digital technology use and well-being in young children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Harverson, J. A. S., Paatsch, L. E., Anglim, J., & Horwood, S. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2025.108660 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Selecting educational apps for preschool children: How useful are website app rating systems?
Taylor, G., Kołak, J., Bent, E. M., & Padraic Monaghan, B. (2022) · British Journal of Educational Technology · doi:10.1111/bjet.13199 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
The Googlization of the classroom: Is the UK effective in protecting children's data and rights?
Livingstone, S., Pothong, K., Atabey, A., Hooper, L., & Day, E. (2024) · Computers and Education Open · doi:10.1016/j.caeo.2024.100195 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Danet, M., Miller, A. L., Weeks, H. M., Kaciroti, N., & Radesky, J. S. (2022) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.16314 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationNiklas, F., Birtwistle, E., Wirth, A., Schiele, T., & Mues, A. (2022) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-022-03737-w · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Assessing the educational potential and language content of touchscreen apps for preschool children
Taylor, G., Kołak, J., Norgate, S., & Padraic Monaghan, B. (2022) · Computers and Education Open · doi:10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100102 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Quality of Mobile Apps for Child Development Support: Search in App Stores and Content Analysis
Dewitt, A., Kientz, J. A., & Liljenquist, K. S. (2022) · JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting · doi:10.2196/38793 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Zhang, Z., Wiebe, S. A., Rahman, A. A., & Carson, V. (2022) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100447 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Lennon, M., Pila, S., Flynn, R. M., & Wartella, E. A. (2022) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104608 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Home literacy environment, digital media and vocabulary development in preschool children
Sundqvist, A., Majerle, N., Heimann, M., & Koch, F. (2024) · Journal of Early Childhood Research · doi:10.1177/1476718x241257337 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Touchscreen apps for child creativity: An evaluation of creativity apps designed for young children
Booton, S. A., Kolancalı, P., & Murphy, V. A. (2023) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104811 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Alper, M. (2023) · The MIT Press eBooks · doi:10.7551/mitpress/14152.001.0001 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Wirth, A., Mues, A., Birtwistle, E., & Niklas, F. (2024) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2024.108361 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Aktürk, A. A., & Akman, M. B. (2024) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-024-02888-x · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Types and contexts of child mobile screen use and associations with early childhood behavior
Mallawaarachchi, S. R., Anglim, J., & Horwood, S. (2024) · Early Childhood Research Quarterly · doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.10.010 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Kucirkova, N. I., Brod, G., & Gaab, N. (2023) · npj Science of Learning · doi:10.1038/s41539-023-00186-7 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Starčič, A. I., Rosanda, V., Volk, M., & Gačnik, M. (2023) · Children · doi:10.3390/children10010101 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Ignatova, E. S. (2023) · Вестник Пермского университета Философия Психология Социология · doi:10.17072/2078-7898/2023-3-365-381 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Henderson, D., Bailes, T., Sturza, J. S., Robb, M. B., Radesky, J. S., & Munzer, T. G. (2024) · Frontiers in Developmental Psychology · doi:10.3389/fdpys.2024.1335922 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Self-citationThe effectiveness of game-based literacy app learning in preschool children from diverse backgrounds
Schiele, T., Edelsbrunner, P., Mues, A., Birtwistle, E., Wirth, A., & Niklas, F. (2025) · Learning and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.lindif.2024.102579 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Fletcher, K., Wright, C. A., Pesch, A., Abdurokhmonova, G., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2024) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2024.2356956 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationYoung children's online–offline balance
Radesky, J. S. (2020) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.15649 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citationEgert, F., Hartig, F., & Cordes, A.-K. (2022) · Frühe Bildung · doi:10.1026/2191-9186/a000562 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Fostering Child Language with Short-Term Digital Storybook Interventions
Cordes, A.-K., Egert, F., & Hartig, F. (2023) · Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie · doi:10.1026/0049-8637/a000264 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Mathers, S. J., Kolancalı, P., Jelley, F., Singh, D., Hodgkiss, A., Booton, S. A., Malmberg, L., & Murphy, V. A. (2025) · Educational Research Review · doi:10.1016/j.edurev.2025.100665 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Examining Users’ Concerns while Using Mobile Learning Apps
Okuboyejo, S. R., & Koyejo, O. (2021) · International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) · doi:10.3991/ijim.v15i15.22345 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Technical Report
Munzer, T., Milkovich, L. M., Madigan, S., Tomopoulos, S., Parga-Belinkie, J., Ajumobi, T., Cross, C., Gerwin, R., Council on Communications and Media, Radesky, J., et al. (2026) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2025-075321 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citationFedorova, A. M. (2023) · Вестник Пермского университета Философия Психология Социология · doi:10.17072/2078-7898/2023-3-338-348 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Musayelyan, L. A. (2023) · Вестник Пермского университета Философия Психология Социология · doi:10.17072/2078-7898/2023-3-349-364 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
BLASÉ ATTITUDE AND THE MODERN DIGITAL CITY
Prokofyeva, A. V., & Отариевна, С. К. (2023) · Вестник Пермского университета Философия Психология Социология · doi:10.17072/2078-7898/2023-3-382-395 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Evaluation of Google Play educational apps for early childhood education
Chatzopoulos, A., Karaflis, A., Kalogiannakis, M., Tzerachoglou, A., Cheirchanteri, G., Sfyroera, E., & Sklavounou, E.-O. (2023) · Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research · doi:10.25082/amler.2023.02.004 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Evaluating popular STEM applications for young children
Konca, A. S., Izci, B., & Simsar, A. (2023) · European Early Childhood Education Research Journal · doi:10.1080/1350293x.2023.2221414 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Kucirkova, N. I., Livingstone, S., & Radesky, J. S. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1285302 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Self-citationLiu, X., Samah, N. A., & Salleh, S. M. (2022) · International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) · doi:10.3991/ijim.v16i15.31477 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The effect of cartoon images on children’s touchscreen learning
Zhang, Z., Wu, L., Yu, H., & Li, H. (2023) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-023-11716-6 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Liptrot, E., Pearson, H. A., Montazami, A., & Dubé, A. K. (2024) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105080 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Get That App!: Examining Parental Evaluations of Numeracy Apps
Urquhart, N., Lee, J., & Wood, E. (2023) · Journal of Research in Childhood Education · doi:10.1080/02568543.2023.2260433 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Exploring the sense of smell in shared digital book reading: An experiment
Løkken, I. M., Campbell, J. A., Dale, P. S., & Kucirkova, N. I. (2024) · International Journal of Educational Research Open · doi:10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100430 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Developing evidence indicators for evaluating K12 EdTech: towards a consensus on educational impact
Kucirkova, N. I., Schewe, O., Campbell, J. A., Cermakova, A. L., & Pitchford, N. J. (2025) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-025-05330-9 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Digital Media Use in 0–5 Year-Old Children in Switzerland
Schmid, J., Unternäehrer, E., Benecchi, E., Bernath, J., Bolten, M. I., Bossi, C. B., Iskrzycki, K., Mazzoni, P., Steiner, O., Sticca, F., et al. (2025) · Swiss Psychology Open · doi:10.5334/spo.89 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Game over? Perceptions of children’s and adolescents’ play and leisure during the COVID-19 lockdown
Garrido, L. C., Santos, P. M.-O., & Sánchez-Serrano, S. (2022) · International Journal of Play · doi:10.1080/21594937.2022.2101278 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Gao, C., Wang, F., & Danovitch, J. H. (2024) · Journal of Experimental Child Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jecp.2024.105961 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Associations between sedentary types, sedentary patterns and cognitive ability in preschool children
Li, D., Chia, M., Low, S. T., Chua, T. B. K., Ma, J., Kim, H., Zhang, L., Tian, L., & Li, X. (2024) · European Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s00431-024-05813-y · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Exploring internet use and parental mediation in Pakistan
Ali, S., Pasha, S. A., & Youssef, E. (2025) · SN Social Sciences · doi:10.1007/s43545-024-01043-z · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Röhlke, L. (2025) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2025.2464841 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Representation in best-selling preschool storybook apps in the United States
Bruner, L., & Kucirkova, N. I. (2024) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2024.2402273 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Putri, L. D., Rozi, M. F., Handrianto, C., & Rahman, M. A. (2024) · Ensaio Avaliação e Políticas Públicas em Educação · doi:10.1590/s0104-40362024003204444 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
How children’s app play could facilitate spatial skill development.
Polinsky, N., Flynn, R. M., & Uttal, D. H. (2023) · Translational Issues in Psychological Science · doi:10.1037/tps0000360 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Hadley, E. B., McKenna, M., & Hull, K. (2024) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2024.2307593 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Raffaghelli, J. E., Restiglian, E., Zoroaster, P., & Maria, V. (2024) · REICE Revista Iberoamericana sobre Calidad Eficacia y Cambio en Educación · doi:10.15366/reice2024.22.2.006 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Sundqvist, A., Koch, F., & Barr, R. (2025) · Journal of Cognition and Development · doi:10.1080/15248372.2025.2456816 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Young children’s science learning from a touchscreen app
Tenenbaum, H. R., & Herwegen, J. V. (2023) · International Journal of Early Years Education · doi:10.1080/09669760.2023.2259422 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Balancing Digital Media Exposure: Enhancing Language and Social Development in Early Childhood
Patel, R. V., McQueen, E., & Gold, C. (2025) · Pediatrics in Review · doi:10.1542/pir.2024-006413 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Exploring children's naturalistic educational media use: Prevalence, domains, and correlates
Dore, R. A., Purtell, K. M., Lin, T., & Justice, L. M. (2025) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101814 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Parent Verbalizations and Toddler Responses With Touchscreen Tablet Nursery Rhyme Apps
Munzer, T. G., Miller, A. L., Yeo, S., Wang, Y., McCaffery, H., Kaciroti, N., & Radesky, J. S. (2021) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2021-049964 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationTeaching Preschoolers Theory of Mind Skills With Mobile Games
Nikolayev, M., Evmenova, A. S., Reich, S. M., Clark, K., & Burns, M. S. (2022) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2022.872888 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Rosanda, V., Kavčič, T., & Starčič, A. I. (2022) · Education & Self Development · doi:10.26907/esd.17.3.08 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Mues, A., Birtwistle, E., Wirth, A., Schiele, T., & Niklas, F. (2025) · European Journal of Psychology of Education · doi:10.1007/s10212-025-00953-7 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Urban Mathematics Education
Young, J. (2023) · Journal of Urban Mathematics Education · doi:10.21423/jume-v16i2a589 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Consolidated Benchmark for Efficacy and Effectiveness Frameworks in EdTech
Kucirkova, N. I., & Cermakova, A. L. (2024) · doi:10.31265/usps.270 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kilani, H., Markov, I. V., Francis, D., & Grigorenko, E. L. (2024) · Children · doi:10.3390/children11080914 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Enhancing French Preschoolers’ Early Literacy Skills with a New Educational Classroom Application
Thomas, A., Hoareau, L., Jarlégan, A., Hubert, B., Luxembourger, C., & Tazouti, Y. (2025) · Early Education and Development · doi:10.1080/10409289.2025.2449694 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Practitioner's perspective on young children's use of mobile technology
Srisontisuk, P. (2022) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003177098-19 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Experiment protocol: Exploring the sense of smell in digital book reading
Løkken, I. M., Campbell, J. A., Kucirkova, N. I., & Dale, P. S. (2023) · International Journal of Educational Research Open · doi:10.1016/j.ijedro.2023.100285 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Science Chaser app: A gamified learning journey into STEM activities
Chatzidaki, E., Papavlasopoulou, S., Gijlers, H., Eysink, T. H. S., & Giannakos, M. N. (2024) · ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC) · doi:10.1145/3628516.3661159 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Knight, S. (2025) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/16094069251318590 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Dominke, H., & Steffensky, M. (2024) · Research in Science & Technological Education · doi:10.1080/02635143.2024.2375512 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Davis, K. S., & Subramaniam, M. M. (2022) · Information and Learning Sciences · doi:10.1108/ils-07-2022-264 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Tran, T. N., & Nguyen, T. T. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4182646/v1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Academia–industry partnerships in edtech: bridging the gaps in engaged research
Kucirkova, N. I. (2025) · Research for All · doi:10.14324/rfa.09.1.07 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Zhang, Y. (2025) · Journal of Chinese Writing Systems · doi:10.1177/25138502251369889 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Why this app: How user ratings and app store rankings impact parents’ choice of educational apps
Liptrot, E., Montazami, A., Pearson, H. A., & Dubé, A. K. (2025) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2025.105410 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
How do Canadian parents evaluate numeracy content in math apps for young children?
Urquhart, N., Lee, J., & Wood, E. (2024) · Journal of Children and Media · doi:10.1080/17482798.2024.2365186 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Integrating Game-Based Learning and Mobile Learning in Early Childhood Education
Manditereza, B. (2024) · Advances in early childhood and K-12 education · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-2377-9.ch009 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Essential Features for Mobile Applications to Assist Early Childhood Educators
Figueredo, Ó. R. B., Sánchez, A. D. V., & Bejarano, J. C. (2024) · International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) · doi:10.3991/ijim.v18i21.48325 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Popescu, D. A., Bold, N., & Stefanidakis, M. (2025) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app15074039 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Children’s Digital Books: Development, Testing and Dissemination of Quality Criteria
Vacková, P., Cermakova, A. L., & Kucirkova, N. I. (2023) · doi:10.31265/usps.268 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
- Authors
- Meyer, M., Zosh, J. M., McLaren, C., Robb, M., McCaffery, H., Golinkoff, R. M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Radesky, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Common Sense Media (US)
- University of Delaware (US)
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Corresponding author
- Radesky, Jenny
- Venue
- Journal of Children and Media
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2021-02-23
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 526-548
- ISSN
- 1748-2798 (ISSN-L)
- 1748-2801
- PMC
- PMC8916741
- OpenAlex
- W3129825267
- Cited by
- 178
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 52.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Children and Media (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- ScholarSphere (Penn State Libraries) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Funders
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD / R21HD094051)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Child Development and Digital Technology
- Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
- Keywords
- app quality, preschool children, free vs paid apps, active learning, meaningful learning, social interaction, mobile application design, digital learning media, coding scheme
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
