Excessive Screen Time Negatively Impacts Children's Language and Communication Skills
Verbal abilities are not an inherent trait but rather a skill acquired by children through interactions with their parents and caregivers. Parents support their children’s language development through talking and reading with them. Actively listening to and engaging with children plays a significant role in their ability to express themselves and participate in meaningful conversations.
Recent research indicates that spending excessive time in front of screens, particularly from a young age, adversely affects children’s language and communication skills. A study conducted in Australia with 220 families, published in the JAMA Pediatrics journal, found that excessive screen time hindered speech skills at various ages. At 18 months, there was a correlation between each additional minute of screen time and 1.3 fewer child vocalizations. By the age of 2, this translated to 0.4 fewer conversational turns. The negative impact was most pronounced at 3 years old, with just one extra minute of screen time associated with 6.6 fewer adult words, 4.9 fewer child vocalizations, and 1.1 fewer conversations.
However, balance can be found in technology use. Technology, when used appropriately, is not always detrimental to children’s communication and socialization skills. It is crucial for parents to be mindful in this regard. Technology can serve as a tool to enhance children’s communication and social skills, but when misused, it can be potentially harmful. For instance, watching educational programs with children and discussing them can enhance their thinking and communication abilities. However, using technology solely as a babysitter can deprive children of real human interactions.
Language, as a significant component of social interaction, is vital for children to develop healthy communication habits and social skills. Parents should assess the strengths and weaknesses of technology and set boundaries by modeling technology use within the family.