Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
High-Waisted Chiffon A-Line Skirt Buy Now
Wide Leg Denim Mom Shorts Buy Now
Ripped Slim Fit Denim Jeans Buy Now
Casio MDV106 Diver's Watch Buy Now
Crystal Accented Bracelet Watch Buy Now
Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set Buy Now
4-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box Buy Now
Braun Silk·Expert Pro 5 IPL Buy Now
Striped Hawaiian Shirt Buy Now
Women's Plaid Shacket Buy Now
Wide Leg Yoga Pants with Pockets Buy Now
Men's Straight-Fit Pant Buy Now
Scale for Body Weight and Fat Percentage Buy Now
Northwest Batman Cloud Pillow Buy Now
Classic Fit Signature Lux Cotton Stretch Pants Buy Now
Pimple Patch for Face Buy Now
3 Pairs Compression Socks for Women Buy Now
LOVEVOOK Women Purses and bags Buy Now
Ecosmart Fleece Full-zip Hoodie Buy Now
Maison Margiela Rent The Runway Pre-Loved Purple Tie Sweater Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Screen time can affect children's language development, study suggests

Screen time can affect children's language development, study suggests

CBC
Saturday, March 16, 2024 11:54 AM GMT

You may have seen the sight of a very young child completely engaged in a handheld device while the parents enjoy a little peace and quiet. But a new study shows that too much time alone on those devices could have a detrimental effect on the child's ability to speak fluently.

According to a recent study in JAMA Pediatrics, the more time toddlers spend on devices, the less they learn to use the kind of words adults use in spoken language. 

Australian and U.K. scientists looked at the effects of screen time on 220 Australian families with children ranging from 12 to 36 months old, checking in once every six months from 2018 to 2021 at their homes.

Within two weeks of each visit, families were asked to record their child's audio environment for an average 16-hour day using Language Environment Analysis (LENA) technology, otherwise known as a "talk pedometer." 

In the families' own homes, the LENA technology automatically measured the amount of screen time, how often the child vocalized, the interactions between child and parent, and the number of adult words that were used.

The greatest effects were at 36 months of age where just an additional minute of screen time — compared to those who follow the World Health Organization's guidelines for screen time of one hour per day at that age — was associated with a reduction of 6.6 adult words spoken around the child, 4.9 fewer child vocalizations and 1.1 less back and forth interactions between the parent and child. 

Children need to learn an entire language within the first few years of their lives, which is a remarkable achievement for developing brains, and the best tool to learn vocabulary is by conversing face to face with adults.

Growing up in a language-rich environment is associated with younger children's language development, their social and emotional development, their IQ and their how their brains develop.

In addition to words, children learn body language, facial expressions and all the other non-verbal ways humans communicate. 

Electronic devices do a great job of capturing the attention of toddlers, but they don't provide the same quality of learning as direct face time with real people. Scientists call it "technoference" when technology interferes with interactions between a parent and a child.

The Canadian Paediatric Society currently recommends against any screen time for children under two, with the exception of video calls with family members. For children between two and five, it recommends limiting screen time to less than an hour per day.

Other studies have shown that excessive screen time can have negative effects later in life, including an increased likelihood of developing problems with obesity, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety.

A good place to start dealing with these issues is when children are very young.

Portable devices have become so ubiquitous in so many aspects of our lives, children have more access to the compelling attraction of the flickering screens and parents find them a handy tool to take a break from the rigours of childrearing, so they are not going to disappear anytime soon. 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Young Inuit take to the skies in pilot training program with dreams of serving Nunavik

An enthusiastic applause greets Melissa Haney as she walks into a classroom at Iguarsivik high school in Puvirnituq, Nunavik. She was just introduced as the first Inuk woman to captain a Boeing 737. 

Could your beach reads actually be therapeutic? Bibliotherapy suggests they might

This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.

Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games postponed to 2026 due to wildfires

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that were scheduled to begin next week in Norway House Cree Nation, have been postponed to next year.

What is the essence of cool? A global study narrows it down to 6 key traits

Cool is cool, no matter where you are in the world.

How some students with disabilities avoid the 'transition cliff' after high school

For the past 10 months, Toronto student Danial Young rose at 6 a.m. on weekdays to attend a program vastly different from what he'd known, leaving friends and familiar teachers behind as he ventured into new spaces and was challenged to develop new skills. 

Ancient Saskatchewan archaeological site falls victim to illegal scavenging

A crucial archaeological site in Saskatchewan has become a target for illegal scavenging.

Decision to refill Lake Pisiquid coming with side-effects, say some Windsor residents

Some Windsor, N.S., residents say a two-year-old decision to close the gates of an aboiteau and keep Lake Pisiquid filled with water is unnecessary and causing other problems.

First Nations opposition to Bill C-5 draws comparisons to Idle No More movement

As more First Nations voice opposition to Bill C-5, some are drawing comparisons to the 2012 Idle No More movement. 

Islanders are being asked to help track the rare smooth greensnake this summer

If you spot a smooth greensnake in the wild on Prince Edward Island this summer, the province's Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division wants to hear from you.

News got you down? Counsellors explain why doom scrolling is so easy — and how to limit it

Western Canada glaciers melting twice as fast as in previous decade, research says; Nigerian judge convicts man of sextorting B.C. teen who died by suicide; Overdose deaths tick up to 165 in April: B.C. Coroners Service; Her husband died after a lung transplant. Now she has to sell her home to pay the bills; Gaza health authorities say Israel kills 44 waiting for aid as war's death toll passes 56,000. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us