Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have found that virtual car seat installation assistance is an effective alternative to in-person instruction. The study, published in the Journal of Trauma Nursing, reported a 100% correct installation rate among families participating in the virtual intervention.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of preventable death for children in the United States. While child safety seats can reduce injury risk by up to 82%, misuse remains a significant issue nationwide.
“Installing a car seat properly is a crucial step caregivers can take to protect children,” said Gina Duchossois, MS, lead study author and Injury Prevention Manager and Safe Kids Coalition Chair at CHOP. “Our findings show that virtual car seat installation sessions are a powerful option for families with limited access to in-person service. They offer a flexible and effective way to protect children on the road.”
The study evaluated a program from 2020 to 2022 where Child Passenger Safety Technicians guided 375 parents and caregivers through installations via secure video calls. Most participants were first-time parents using various cars and car seat brands.
Out of all participants, 129 families completed post-session surveys. Before the virtual session, only 43% of caregivers felt confident about their installation skills. After receiving virtual coaching, satisfaction and confidence levels were high, with all participants correctly installing their chosen child safety seats.
The researchers noted that neither vehicle type nor child safety seat brand affected pre-instruction accuracy. However, they emphasized the need for larger studies to confirm long-term benefits and compare virtual instruction’s effectiveness against traditional in-person methods.
Duchossois et al. “Virtual Car Seat Installation Program Evaluation: Parent Satisfaction and Installation Accuracy.” Journal of Trauma Nursing. Online March 6, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/JTN.0000000000000835.
