Abstract:

In the last few years there has been a big development of digital games to be used on mobile devices for children as young as babies. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children shouldn’t use screens until they are at least 2 years old, the reality is that many parents do not follow this recommendation. We are proving that fact in a survey we are carrying out with Spanish parents. Half of them are using digital games on their mobile devices with their babies. And the use of them seems to be growing at a fast rate. So it is relevant to carry out studies that help provide a better understanding on how apps influence children’s ways of playing and learning.

With this goal in mind, we are conducting research focused on how parents are using games on mobile devices with their babies, and also analyzing the characteristics of the digital games available in the market.

Crossing both analyzes, and considering the information related to the latest scientific studies on the use of screens and children, the research will present relevant data about the best way to design and use digital games for very young children. This knowledge will be useful for different groups:
- Parents and early childhood educators. As they are using games-apps with babies, we consider it necessary to create a series of recommendations on the best way to use games to exploit potential benefits and lower its risks.
- Developers, designers and industry. We will develop guidelines for creating digital games for babies, taking into account specific needs of the target and the demands of parents.
- Universities and trainers in designing applications. The revolution that is occurring in the development of digital applications is so important that we speak of the birth of a new design discipline. To move forward successfully, this discipline needs specific training. It is necessary for designers to focus, not only on learning about software but also on acquiring knowledge about the specific requirements to design games-apps for children.

In general the results of the research will provide information that at this moment is not available, to different user profiles on how to create and use baby games - digital applications to improve the change for children to play and learn in the safest and most appropriate way possible.

Keywords:

Apps, babies, play, e-learning, TIC.