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The Relationship between Language and Technology: How Screen Time Affects Language Development in Early Life-A
Valentina Massaroni1, Valentina Delle Donne1, Camillo Marra2
1Department of Safety and Bioethics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Brain Sciences
|January 22, 2024
Summary
Excessive screen time in early childhood negatively impacts language and cognitive development. Limiting exposure, especially to television, is crucial for healthy development in young children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Media Studies
Background:
- Screen time, exposure to digital devices, is prevalent among young children.
- Early childhood is a critical period for cognitive and language development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the impact of screen time on children's language development.
- To identify specific effects of screen time on cognitive and communication skills.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following PRISMA-P guidelines.
- Inclusion of 18 relevant articles.
- Analysis of studies on early childhood screen exposure.
Main Results:
- Prolonged screen time in the first two years negatively affects language acquisition, comprehension, and vocabulary.
- Overexposure impacts attention, social interaction, problem-solving, and conversational skills.
- Television viewing appears most detrimental due to passive engagement and unsuitable content.
Conclusions:
- Preschool screen time adversely affects cognitive and language development.
- Limiting screen exposure, particularly television, is recommended for young children.
- Future research should examine newer digital media and online interactions.
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