  We investigated the experiences of 15 parents and their tween children (ages
8-12, n=23) during nature explorations using the NatureCollections app, a
mobile application that connects children with nature. Drawing on parent
interviews and in-app audio recordings from a 2-week deployment study, we found
that tweens experiences with the NatureCollections app were influenced by
tensions surrounding how parents and tweens negotiate technology use more
broadly. Despite these tensions, the app succeeded in engaging tweens in
outdoor nature explorations, and parents valued the shared family experiences
around nature. Parents desired the app to support family bonding and inform
them about how their tween used the app. This work shows how applications
intended to support enriching youth experiences are experienced in the context
of screen time tensions between parents and tween during a transitional period
of child development. We offer recommendations for designing digital
experiences to support family needs and reduce screen time tensions.
