Screen Usage and Language Disturbances

Impact of smart media usage and screen time on children’s speech acquisition, language and communication skills

Abstract

In the current digital era, smart media devices have become a part of the daily lives of our children at home. They greatly affect the children's experiences, interactions, and developmental pathways. Modern child-rearing practices have also started using many smart media devices. Now widely used smart media devices and other electronic devices bring information to a child's fingertips. Due to this, the world of children is also changing. Despite the many benefits these devices bring, there is an increasing concern that such devices may have a significant negative impact on a child's developmental pathways. Especially, more attention is being paid to the impact of screen usage on the speech & language acquisition skills and communication skills of children. This article discusses in detail the research-based evidence on the impact of digital media usage on the children’s speech acquisition, language skills and communication skills. It also discusses other psychological and social impact of smart media devices on the growing children’s developmental trajectory. The qualitative and quantitative aspect of screen usage and its appropriate management in children of different age groups are discussed here.