13/01/2026
Screens and language development
Screens are everywhere.
And for today’s toddlers, they’re part of everyday life.
But new UK government research released today reminds us of something important: language doesn’t grow from screens — it grows from connection.
The research shows that almost all two-year-olds now use screens daily. Those with the highest screen exposure were found to use fewer spoken words than peers with much lower screen time. Not because parents are doing anything wrong — but because passive screen time can quietly replace the moments where language is built.
Language develops through back-and-forth interaction. Through eye contact, shared attention, repetition, play, and being responded to. A screen can show words, but it can’t respond to a child’s cues, interests, or attempts to communicate.
This isn’t about fear or blame.
It’s about balance.
Screens don’t need to disappear — but they shouldn’t replace talking, reading, singing, playing, or simply being together. When screens are used with an adult, alongside conversation, they can support learning rather than crowd it out.
If this feels relevant in your home, you’re not alone.
And if you’re navigating screens with a toddler, curiosity and connection matter far more than perfection.
Save for later.
Share with someone raising a little one in a very digital world.
