Psychometric properties of the Usability and Acceptability Scale (UAS) for evaluating digital tools in children and adolescent users

The rapid integration of digital tools in educational and clinical settings highlights the need for assessing their usability and acceptability, particularly among populations of developmental age. This study aims to validate the Usability and Acceptability Scale (UAS), a new scale tailored for children aged 4 to 18, derived from integration and an adaptation of the Technology Acceptance Model Scale and System Usability Scale. The UAS was administered to a sample of 908 participants. Results of Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses consistently supported a bifactorial model encompassing the two dimensions of usability and acceptability. Reliability was also assessed using Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω, with overall results indicating acceptable internal consistency. These findings suggested that the UAS is a valid and reliable questionnaire for evaluating digital tools among younger users, offering valuable insights for developers and educators aiming to create child-friendly technologies.