The implications are endless \u2014 calmer kids, stronger parent-child bonds and more pleasant experiences on planes and in restaurants, to name a few.<\/p>\n
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/close-business-people-using-smartwatch-117384579.jpg\")
A new study shows how a simple smartwatch can help shorten and even prevent temper tantrums in children. mojo_cp \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
In a study published Monday<\/a> in JAMA Network Open, children 3 to 7 years old who received parent-child interaction therapy at the Mayo Clinic wore a smartwatch for 16 weeks.<\/p>\n The watch could detect the child\u2019s physiological stress signals, like increased heart rate or changes in movement.<\/p>\n These signals were sent to an AI-enabled app on the parents\u2019 phone<\/a>, alerting them to connect with their child.<\/p>\n Researchers found that the alerts helped parents intervene within four seconds and shortened severe tantrums by an average of 11 minutes \u2014 half the time it would take with standard therapy.<\/p>\n More studies in larger populations are needed before the system can come to market.<\/p>\n Still, this research shows how this technology could bridge a gap in pediatric mental healthcare to give parents better support while at home or when professional help isn\u2019t available \u2014 an important consideration as nearly 1 in 5 US children<\/a> has a mental, behavioral or emotional health disorder.<\/p>\n \u201cThis study shows that even small, well-timed interventions can change the trajectory of a child\u2019s emotional dysregulation episode,\u201d said study co-lead and Mayo Clinic child psychiatrist Magdalena Romanowicz<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThese moments give parents a chance to step in with supportive actions \u2014 moving closer, offering reassurance, labeling emotions and redirecting attention before a tantrum intensifies.\u201d<\/p>\n The same team of researchers led an earlier study that examined smartwatch data on heart rate, sleep and movement in children receiving psychiatric care.<\/p>\n Published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology<\/a>, the study found that the machine learning algorithm could predict a child\u2019s behavior with 81% accuracy. Parents were warned of an outburst up to an hour before it happened.<\/p>\n Anxiety, depression or behavioral disorders in children<\/a> can cause long-term problems into adulthood, as well as affect the present well-being of children and families.<\/p>\n While psychological therapy<\/a> is often the first-line treatment, data from everyday smart devices can help improve care, especially beyond the clinic.<\/p>\n \u201cA smartwatch may seem simple,\u201d study co-author and Mayo Clinic child and adolescent psychiatrist Paul Croarkin<\/a> said. \u201cBut when it\u2019s backed by evidence-based treatments and advanced analytics, it becomes a lifeline for families trying to manage severe behavioral symptoms at home.\u201d<\/p>\n And with the number of children diagnosed with mental health disorders steadily increasing<\/a> since 2016, researchers hope this system and future studies provide more options for families.<\/p>\n![\"Parents](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/adobestock-happy-young-family-couple-104106697.jpg\")
A smartwatch tracked children\u2019s physiological stress signals and alerted parents when a tantrum was about to strike. insta_photos \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n