23/08/2025
๐ง ๐ฑ As a Speech and Language Therapist, I see it firsthand: screen time isnโt just about entertainment โ itโs about brain development. And our youngest children are the most vulnerable.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatric Neurodevelopment (PMID: 38248242) reveals that excessive handheld screen time in children aged 1โ3 is significantly linked to delays in speech and language development.
๐ Just 30 extra minutes of screen time per day can increase the risk of speech delay by nearly 49%.
โ ๏ธ The study also highlights changes in white matter development โ the brain structures essential for language, attention, and learning โ which are being disrupted by too much screen exposure.
๐ถ We know that toddlers learn language through responsive interaction, facial cues, intonation, and real-world social communication โ none of which can be adequately replicated through a screen.
When screen time increases, we see:
Fewer opportunities for symbolic and imaginative play
Reduced family interaction
Increased behavioral challenges
And a higher risk for long-term academic difficulties
As SLTs, we must advocate for intentional, interactive, and language-rich environments โ especially in the critical early years.
๐ฃ Letโs continue to raise awareness among parents, educators, and professionals: screen time matters โ and so does brain time.
