Excessive screen time is negatively affecting toddlers’ vocabulary development, prompting the UK government to prepare guidance for parents on managing screen use in children under five. Research indicates that two-year-olds who spend approximately five hours a day on screens can articulate significantly fewer words than their peers who use screens for about 44 minutes daily.
Bridget Phillipson, the UK Education Secretary, highlighted concerns from parents and educators that excessive passive screen time is hindering crucial activities like talking, playing, and reading, all vital for early language development. “Screens are part of family life now. The question parents are asking isn’t whether to use them, but how to use them well,” she stated.
In April 2024, the government will release its first guidance on screen use for children under five. This will include strategies for integrating screen time with interactive activities that promote language skills. A panel led by Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, along with Professor Russell Viner, former chief scientific adviser to the Department for Education, will review the latest evidence and gather input from parents to formulate the recommendations.
The growing concern over screen time is underscored by findings from government-commissioned research, which surveyed the primary caregivers of 4,758 children when they were nine months old and again at two years old. The research revealed that by age two, a staggering 98% of children engage with screens daily, averaging 127 minutes of screen time. This figure was significantly lower at nine months, where children averaged just 29 minutes.
The World Health Organization recommends limiting screen time for children aged two to four to a maximum of one hour per day. The study found that 19% of two-year-olds also played video games, contributing to an average of 140 minutes spent on screens or gaming each day. The research highlighted a concerning trend: children with higher screen time had lower vocabulary development. Those with the highest screen exposure could say only 53% of a test set of 34 words, compared to 65% for those with lesser screen time.
While the average vocabulary of two-year-olds remained stable at 21 words, similar to cohorts from 2017 to 2020, the implications for language development are significant. Additionally, the study noted that around 25% of the children scored above the threshold indicating potential behavioral or emotional issues.
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, expressed support for the forthcoming guidance but emphasized the need for a broader focus on online safety. “While we broadly welcome plans to develop new guidance on screen time for under-fives, it’s important that any such support on this topic sits within a much wider framework of guidance for families and educators on digital literacy and online safety,” he stated.
As screen use becomes increasingly prevalent in young children’s lives, the upcoming guidance aims to equip parents with the tools to foster healthy digital habits that support language development and overall well-being.
