Building a Global Digital Parenting Program: Lessons Learned from a Multi-Country Study

Digital technologies have transformed the way we access information and services. In the world of parenting, they offer a powerful way to provide support to families, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, developing a program that works for diverse cultures and contexts is a complex challenge.

Dr. Haley LaMonica, a clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor at the University of Sydney, and her team recently conducted a multi-case study to understand what it takes to create a successful digital child-rearing program on a global scale. Their paper, "The Top 10 Research Lessons from a Digital Child-Rearing Program in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Multicase Study," was published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

A Study Across Cultures

Noting that parenting - and therefore parenting programs - cannot be one-size-fits-all, Dr. LaMonica and her team examined how Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five International Program, a large scale digital and nondigital child-rearing program, varied and was influenced by unique social and cultural factors across 10 different LMICs. Using an in-depth multi-case approach, they were able to identify crucial lessons that go beyond simple app design.

The Importance of Collaboration and Cultural Understanding

The study revealed that for this kind of large-scale international program to be successful, it’s critical to dedicate significant time to building collaborative partnerships based on respect, cultural understanding, and open communication. The research identified five key themes, including the value of partnerships and collaborative practice, and the importance of tailoring programs and program dissemination (i.e., digital, nondigital) to the characteristics of the specific target audience (e.g., culture, expectations, language, digital landscape).

Dr. LaMonica and her team chose to publish their research in Journal of Medical Internet Research due to its strong reputation and focus on medical informatics and digital health. The journal's commitment to high-quality, international research made it the perfect venue to share the valuable insights from this project, which bridges behavioral science, public health, and digital technology.

Curious to learn more about the key lessons for creating effective global digital health programs? Watch the video to hear directly from Dr. LaMonica, and read the full research article to dive into the detailed findings of this extensive study.

Subscribe Now