Smart device usage in early childhood is differentially associated with fine motor and language development

We evaluated the relationships between the use of smart devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, and the development levels and language scores in young children.

A cross-sectional analysis with 117 children aged three to five years was conducted. The participants were recruited from kindergartens in South Korea between November 2015 and April 2016. Parental questionnaires to assess smart device usage status by children, developmental screening test and receptive-expressive language scale were administered; metrics included smart device usage frequency and usage time, appropriate smart device usage level, developmental levels and language scores.

Smart device usage frequency was significantly positively correlated with fine motor skill development [Spearman's correlation coefficient (r_s ) = 0.426] in three-year-old children. Appropriate smart device usage level was also positively correlated with social development (r_s  = 0.466). However, smart device usage time was significantly negatively correlated with expressive language months (r_s  = -0.481). There were no such correlations in children aged four to five years. For the subcategories of appropriate usage level, the suitability of social relationship was significantly positively correlated with social development in three-year-old children (r_s  = 0.474).

In three-year-old children, smart device usage was positively correlated with fine motor development and negatively correlated with language development.