Broekman Francette L, Piotrowski Jessica Taylor, Beentjes Hans W J, Valkenburg Patti M
University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Mob Media Commun. 2018 Sep;6(3):367-389. doi: 10.1177/2050157918759571. Epub 2018 Apr 16.
When parents select apps for young children (3-7), they have particular needs. However, it is unclear how these needs might be fulfilled. Uses and gratifications theory predicts that specific features of apps can fulfill needs, but empirical evidence regarding the types of features that fulfill these needs is nonexistent. To address this gap, a multimethodological design was used. Qualitative interviews ( = 20) revealed 23 features in children's apps that parents believe are important. A subsequent survey ( = 591) showed that parents want apps with (a) clear design; (b) tailorable, controllable, educational content; (c) challenges and rewards; and (d) technological innovation. Consistent with theory, analyses revealed that parents' needs relate to these app features, but child's age and gender play a key role in this relationship.
当父母为幼儿（3至7岁）选择应用程序时，他们有特定的需求。然而，尚不清楚这些需求如何得到满足。使用与满足理论预测，应用程序的特定功能可以满足需求，但关于满足这些需求的功能类型的实证证据并不存在。为了填补这一空白，采用了多方法设计。定性访谈（n = 20）揭示了家长认为儿童应用程序中重要的23个功能。随后的一项调查（n = 591）显示，家长希望应用程序具有（a）清晰的设计；（b）可定制、可控制的教育内容；（c）挑战和奖励；以及（d）技术创新。与理论一致，分析表明，家长的需求与这些应用程序功能相关，但孩子的年龄和性别在这种关系中起着关键作用。
