Does Screen Time Affect Speech and Language Development?
Does your toddler love watching TV, using a tablet or playing on your phone? You might be wondering whether too much screen time could affect their speech and language development.
Screens are now a normal part of family life. From CBeebies and nursery rhymes to video calls with grandparents and the occasional episode that gives parents five minutes to make a cup of tea, screens can have a place in family life.
But when it comes to young children learning to talk, what happens around the screen may be just as important as the screen itself.
So, does screen time cause speech delay? The answer isn't quite that simple.
If you're also wondering whether other everyday habits can affect your child's speech, you may find our guide to the impact of dummies on speech development helpful.
Can screen time affect speech development?
Research has found links between higher levels of screen use and aspects of children's language development. However, this does not mean that watching television or using a tablet automatically causes a child to have delayed speech.
One of the biggest concerns is what screen time may replace.
Young children learn to communicate through back-and-forth interaction. They learn by listening to adults, copying sounds and words, looking at faces, taking turns, pointing, playing and responding to what is happening around them.
If a large amount of a child's day is spent looking at a screen, there may be fewer opportunities for these real-life interactions.
The NHS similarly encourages parents to prioritise talking, playing, reading and interacting with their child, and advises avoiding screen time for children under 2 except for shared activities such as video calls.
What about educational programmes?
Not all screen time is the same.
Some children's programmes, songs and activities can be enjoyable and educational. But young children generally learn language best when they are actively interacting with another person, rather than simply watching something.
If your child is watching a programme, try sitting with them when you can.
Instead of using the screen as background entertainment, talk about what you're watching:
"Look! It's a dog."
"Where's the red car?"
"The dinosaur is jumping!"
"What's going to happen next?"
"Can you find the cat?"
You can even turn something they have watched into a real-life activity afterwards.
If you've watched a programme about animals, for example, get out some toy animals and play together. If you've watched a song about a farm, sing it together and make the animal noises.
This turns screen time into talking time.
What about having the TV on in the background?
This is something parents often don't think about.
You might not consider your child to be "watching TV" because you've simply left it on while you're cooking, tidying or getting everyone ready.
However, background television can still be distracting. NHS speech and language guidance notes that background screens and noise can make it harder for children to focus on an adult's voice and interact.
Try switching the TV off when nobody is watching it, particularly during:
Mealtimes
Playtime
Reading
Getting dressed
Family conversations
You may be surprised by how much more your child talks and interacts when there are fewer distractions.
How much screen time should toddlers have?
Current NHS guidance recommends:
Under 2s: Avoid screen time, apart from shared activities such as video calls or looking at photographs together.
2 to 5 years: Try to keep screen time to no more than 1 hour a day, and less if possible.
The NHS also recommends choosing age-appropriate content and watching together where possible.
Of course, real family life doesn't always fit neatly into a number.
There will be days when your toddler watches more television than you'd planned. There may be times when putting on a favourite programme is exactly what your family needs.
Try not to feel guilty.
Instead, think about the overall balance of your child's day.
Are they getting plenty of opportunities to talk, play, move, explore, look at books and interact with the people around them?
Those everyday experiences are incredibly valuable for communication development.
5 easy ways to encourage speech without giving up screens completely
1. Watch together
If your child is watching something, sit with them when possible.
Point things out, copy sounds, sing along and talk about what you can see.
2. Turn the screen off during play
Give your child periods of uninterrupted play without the TV or tablet running in the background.
Get down on their level and follow their interests.
3. Talk during everyday activities
You don't need special flashcards or expensive toys to encourage language.
Talk while you're:
Getting dressed
Cooking
Having a bath
Walking to nursery
Shopping
Tidying toys
Eating dinner
For example:
"Let's put your blue socks on. One foot... and the other foot!"
These ordinary moments provide lots of opportunities for children to hear language being used naturally.
NHS advice also encourages parents to talk about everyday activities and respond to their child's attempts to communicate.
4. Read together every day
You don't have to read every word of a story.
Talk about the pictures. Ask your child what they can see. Make animal noises. Let them turn the pages.
Even a few minutes of shared reading can become a lovely opportunity for conversation.
5. Follow your child's lead
If your child is playing with a car, talk about the car.
If they're pretending to feed a teddy, talk about the teddy.
If they're interested in a puddle, talk about the puddle!
You don't need to constantly test them with questions.
Sometimes simply commenting on what your child is doing gives them more opportunities to listen, understand and join in.
What if my child isn't talking yet?
Every child develops at their own pace, and there is a wide range of normal development.
However, if you're concerned about your child's speech or language, don't feel that you have to wait and see.
Speak to your health visitor, GP, nursery key person or local speech and language therapy service. NHS guidance specifically recommends seeking advice if you're worried about your child's communication development.
At nursery, we also understand that parents can sometimes be unsure whether something they're noticing is part of normal development or something worth discussing.
There is never any harm in asking.
The important thing to remember
The message isn't that screens are "bad" or that parents should feel guilty about using them.
Screens are part of modern family life.
The important question is whether screen time is crowding out the things young children need most for their development – talking, playing, exploring, reading, sleeping, moving and spending time with the people around them.
And when your child does watch something, there's a simple way to make it more interactive:
Sit with them. Talk about it. Sing along. Ask questions. Connect it to their real world.
Because when it comes to learning to talk, the conversation around the screen can be just as important as what's happening on it.
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