Research in Brief: Mobile Applications to Promote Sun Protective Behaviors in Adolescents

Mobile app‐based interventions, especially photoaging technologies for sun protective behaviors, are new and promising tools. We conducted a review of published studies to date that evaluate such mobile apps used in pediatric populations, and our analysis highlights short‐term improvements in sun‐protective behaviors, with over 90% of adolescent users ( n = 365) reporting increased motivation to reduce UV exposure and 61.7%–63% of users ( n = 205) reporting such apps encouraged them to avoid tanning or improve protection. Limitations of these studies include self‐reported outcomes, short follow‐up durations, and lack of data on social determinants. These mobile apps offer an engaging and promising tool that requires further research as a powerful set of tools to supplement traditional sun safety education, helping promote early prevention of skin cancers in children and adolescents.