The association between screen media quantity, content, and context and language development

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of the quantity, content, and context of screen media use on the language development of 85 Saudi children aged 1 to 3 years. Surveys and weekly event-based diaries were employed to track children’s screen use patterns. Language development was assessed using JISH Arabic Communicative Development Inventory (JACDI). Findings indicate that the most significant predictor of expressive and receptive vocabulary in 12- to 16-month-olds was screen media context (as measured by the frequency of interactive joint media engagements). In older children (17- to 36-month-olds), more screen time (as measured by the amount of time spent using screens, the prevalence of background TV at home, and the onset age of screen use) had the highest negative impact on expressive vocabulary and mean length of utterance. These findings support health recommendations on the negative effects of excessive screen time and the positive effects of co-viewing media with children.

Infant screen media and child development: A prospective community study

“…Overall, the results of this study provide further support for the associations between early screen exposure and problems in language development (Al Hosani et al., 2023; Madigan et al., 2019). Increased screen time was associated with delays and deficits in language development (Byeon & Hong, 2015; Lin et al., 2015), including problems in expressive vocabulary, word reasoning, and mean length of utterance (Alroqi et al., 2022; Martinot et al., 2021; van den Heuvel et al., 2019). Nevertheless, the link between screen time and speech and language development is not always negative and is influenced by several factors such as the age of onset, the presence of a co‐viewer, content characteristics, and parents' media behavior (Karani et al., 2022; Pempek et al., 2014).…”

Pemerolehan Bahasa Pertama Anak Usia 4 Tahun 3 Bulan di Makassar Indonesia

“…Prediktor ekspresif dan reseptif paling signifikan pada kosakata anak usia 12 hingga 16 bulan pada konteks media layar (yang diukur dengan frekuensi keterlibatan media interaktif). Pada anak yang lebih tua (usia 17 hingga 36 bulan), lebih banyak waktu layar (yang diukur dengan jumlah waktu yang dihabiskan menggunakan layar, prevalensi latar belakang TV di rumah, dan usia awal penggunaan layar) mencapai dampak negatif tertinggi pada kosa kata ekspresif dan rata-rata panjang ucapan (Alroqi, 2022) Pendekatan pembelajaran bahasa, menekankan unit multikata. Unit multiword adalah blok bangunan integral bahasa; unit tersebut dapat memfasilitasi penguasaan makna kata; dan orang dewasa kurang mengandalkan anak-anak mereka yang dapat menjelaskan kesulitan mempelajari bahasa kedua.…”

Screen Time and Developmental Performance Among Children at 1-3 Years of Age in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

“…Although pediatric guidelines recommend that screen viewing be avoided for infants younger than 2 years and limited to 1 hour per day between the ages 2 and 5 years, many children fail to adhere to these recommendations . Excessive screen time in children younger than 3 years is associated with adverse effects on cognitive, language, motor skills, and social-behavioral development . Conversely, children with poor self-regulation are more likely to experience more exposure to screens .…”

“… 6 Excessive screen time in children younger than 3 years is associated with adverse effects on cognitive, language, motor skills, and social-behavioral development. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Conversely, children with poor self-regulation are more likely to experience more exposure to screens. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 However, there is limited evidence for a causal relationship in early childhood regarding whether media exposure leads to developmental delays or whether children with developmental delays are more exposed to the media.…”