How Technology Can Help Children With Diabetes

As parts of the country reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to normalcy has proven particularly difficult for families with children who have diabetes. According to a new study from the University of South Alabama, the average blood sugar levels of children with diabetes increased significantly during quarantine. This likely stems from common life events, but affects these children and their health dramatically: changes in routine, decreased exercise, and an increase in stress. What’s more, children from economically disadvantaged families and Black children were affected at higher rates.

In order to counteract these impacts, finding ways to manage diabetes control for children is particularly important right now. As parents of diabetic children know, proper management is crucial in preventing complications and improving overall health and wellbeing. Luckily, several modern technological tools have made the process significantly easier for both parents and children.

Jump to: Games for Young People with Diabetes | Apps to Help Young People Manage Diabetes | How to Navigate Online Health Resources 

The Role of Tech in Diabetes Management

As technology has made information more accessible all over the world (and changed the way we conduct our lives, from shopping to managing our finances), access to healthcare has followed suit. It has improved the quality of patient care, given patients the ability to compare procedure and prescription pricing, and made it easier for patients to access their own healthcare information. For people with chronic conditions like diabetes, this is especially important.

People with diabetes must constantly track a wide variety of information, including blood sugar levels, food intake, exercise, and insulin. While people used to keep track of this information on paper, there is now a multitude of apps that can do it for them — and even help them better understand it. Collecting this information on an app can also help users share vital information with their primary care physician, or other doctors, keeping them informed between appointments. There is also a wide variety of online resources that offer support to people with diabetes, like telehealth and chat services. These services allow patients to communicate easily with their healthcare providers and receive fast, timely care. They also make high-quality care more accessible to people in underserved communities who are traditionally affected by diabetes at higher rates.

For children and teens with diabetes, these  technological tools are especially helpful, as they communicate vital information and offer support in a format with which these young people are already familiar. Tools range from telehealth and chatting apps to tools like glucose trackers and resources on the best foods to eat (and those to avoid). The use of these tools, in combination with local nurse care, was detailed in a recent study that showed it was more effective in decreasing the levels of HbA1c (average plasma glucose concentration) in low-income adults than traditional care.

Games, on the other hand, have proven to promote better health outcomes in children and adolescents with diabetes. In fact, scientific reviews have shown that young people with diabetes who have played diabetes-related games experience a significant decrease in emergency hospital visits (77%). Games and apps designed for young people with diabetes can help with decision-making regarding meals, insulin injections, and understanding the relationship between glucose levels, physical activity, and food intake.

There have even been significant developments in artificial intelligence (AI) related to the gamification of diabetes management. These types of tools are rapidly expanding, and they are currently being used to assist in diabetes management, along with the lifestyle challenges this condition poses. It’s not surprising that the use of tech tools and gamification in diabetes management is expected to grow and develop significantly over the next five to 10 years.

This article includes a collection of technological resources for young people with diabetes. The list of free games and apps can help young people better understand and manage their diabetes, in addition to a guide for navigating online care resources. We hope that this compilation of resources will help the families of children and teens with diabetes feel more empowered and in control of their children’s health and wellbeing.

Free Games for Young People With Diabetes

Most kids love games, and many of them are already familiar with games played on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This makes games developed for young people with diabetes an easy sell — and an approachable way for them to better understand things like glucose levels, insulin management, and food choices. There are a variety of free games on the market, from more interactive options to storybook-like options, that help younger children understand what diabetes is and how it works.

Games to Educate Children About Diabetes

Games and Apps to Educate Teens about Diabetes

Free Apps to Help Young People Manage Diabetes

Diabetes-focused apps can help keep young people on track in monitoring their glucose levels and carbohydrate intake. Here, we have compiled a list of diabetes-focused apps that are either specifically designed for young people or accessible to them through the quality of their design.

Apps for Children With Diabetes

Apps for Teens With Diabetes

How to Navigate Online Health Resources

There is a variety of different resources available online that can help people manage their diabetes beyond their in-person doctor’s visits. These tools can be particularly helpful to people who don’t have health insurance, don’t have the time or capacity to go to the doctor, or are otherwise unable to schedule a visit. They’re also an excellent resource for anyone who wants a little extra help managing their diabetes. For younger people learning to manage their diabetes on their own, these can be invaluable resources.

Tips on How to Navigate Online Health Resources

If you are searching for online health resources for yourself or your child, it’s important to adhere to a few simple steps to making sure you’re accessing the best, most reliable care possible. Many telehealth services are either paid or exclusively accessible through insurance providers, so it is important to understand what you are signing up for. Below are some tips on how to navigate these resources and make them work for you.

Summary

There is a multitude of options when it comes to technological tools to help people — particularly young people — manage and learn about their diabetes. If you or a family member is living with diabetes, consider incorporating one or more of these tools into your care regimen. The resources above are just a few of the options available to help with diabetes management. Although it may take some time, the effort you put into finding the management and education tools that work for you and your family will be worth it. These tools can help you — and your children — improve health and wellbeing while quickly feeling more empowered to manage diabetes successfully.