Study by the University of Aveiro shows that cell phone use delays language development in children – Science

O study sought to analyze the relationship between the use of digital devices, family dynamics and language development in children and has already been published in the journal CoDAS (Communication Disorders, Audiology and Swallowing).

Researchers Maria Inês Gomes, Marisa Lousada and Daniela Figueiredo, from the Center for Research in Health Technologies and Services (CINTESIS.UA@RISE), carried out their analysis with the participation of 93 Portuguese families with children, where the average age was 57 months.

One of the main conclusions of the study makes a negative link between smartphone use and language development. “The longer children use smartphones, tablets and/or computers, the worse the results in terms of language development, assessed by oral verbal expression and listening comprehension tests, are also worse.”, reveals Daniela Figueiredo.

The researcher says that “the majority of participating families have balanced family functioning and that, on average, children have normal language development”, but emphasizes that “it was found that in families where there is less cohesion, flexibility and family satisfaction there is an increase in the time children use smartphones or tablets”.

The study thus highlights the impact of screen time and the role of family functioning in the language development of preschool children. “The results show that more excessive use of these devices may be associated with less balanced dimensions of the family system and compromise language development”, warns Daniela Figueiredo.

Still exists “a very significant association between the time spent using this type of device by parents outside of working hours and the time used on this type of screen by children“. The researcher explains that “more hours of use of smartphones and tablets by parents is also associated with more time of use of these devices by children, during the week and on the weekend”.

The researchers consider that moderate use of this type of screens and a healthy family environment are essential to promoting adequate linguistic development in children. They emphasize that the maximum screen time should be 1 hour per day until the age of 5, according to the World Health Organization.

The study is available online.