Estimated reading time: 2 minutes.
Screen time and language development is a common concern for parents, particularly as screens have become part of everyday life for many families.
Research suggests that the relationship between screen time and children’s language development is not simply about how many minutes a child spends using a device. The type of content, the child’s age and whether an adult watches and interacts with them can also make a difference.
Young children develop language most effectively through responsive, back-and-forth interactions with other people. Talking, playing, reading and sharing everyday experiences give children opportunities to hear language, practise communication and connect words with the world around them.
This does not mean that all screen use is harmful. Instead, families can focus on balancing screen time with plenty of opportunities for face-to-face communication, play, movement and shared activities.
How much screen time is recommended for children?
Australian Government guidelines recommend limiting sedentary recreational screen time according to a child’s age.
Current recommendations are:
- Children under 2 years: screen time is not recommended.
- Children aged 2 to 5 years: no more than 1 hour of sedentary screen time per day, with less being better.
- Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years: no more than 2 hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day.
For school-aged children, these limits do not include screen time required for schoolwork.
The amount of screen time is only part of the picture. Families can also consider what children are watching, whether they are using screens alone or with an adult, and what activities screen time may be replacing.
Where possible, balance screen use with opportunities for:
- talking and interacting with family members
- reading books together
- imaginative and active play
- outdoor activities and movement
- shared meals and everyday routines
- adequate sleep.
For younger children in particular, watching or using a screen together can create opportunities to talk about what is happening, introduce new words and connect screen-based content with real-life experiences.
How can parents support language development around screens?
Screens can be used in ways that create more opportunities for communication. The key is to make screen use as interactive as possible rather than allowing it to become a completely passive activity.
Parents and carers can try:
- watching together and talking about what is happening
- pausing the video to give your child time to comment or respond
- naming objects, actions and emotions shown on the screen
- asking simple, relevant questions without turning the activity into a test
- connecting screen content to real life, such as talking about animals after watching a program about animals
- repeating useful words and phrases from the program during everyday routines
- encouraging your child to retell or act out parts of the story
- balancing screen use with play, books, movement and face-to-face interaction.
For younger children, it can also help to choose slower-paced, age-appropriate content with clear language and simple storylines.
The goal is not to make every minute of screen time educational. Instead, parents can use some screen-based activities as another opportunity for shared attention, conversation and connection.
When should I speak to a Speech Pathologist?
Consider speaking with a Speech Pathologist if you are concerned about your child’s speech, language, understanding, social communication or ability to communicate their needs.
Signs that may warrant further discussion include:
- using fewer words or sentences than expected for their age
- difficulty understanding everyday instructions
- limited back-and-forth interaction
- difficulty expressing wants, needs or ideas
- frustration when trying to communicate
- losing previously developed communication skills.
A Speech Pathologist can assess your child’s communication strengths and needs and provide individualised strategies for supporting language development during everyday activities, including play, reading, routines and shared screen use.
Concerned about your child’s language development?
If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication, Innerlink Therapy can help.
Our Speech Pathologists work with children and families to assess communication strengths and needs and develop practical strategies that can be used during play, reading, routines and everyday interactions.
Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss your child’s communication needs, assessment options and available Speech Pathology services.
Frequently asked questions about screen time and language development
Can too much screen time cause a language delay? Research has found an association between higher amounts of screen time and weaker language outcomes in some young children. However, this does not mean that screen time directly causes a language delay. Language development is influenced by many factors, including a child’s development, opportunities for interaction and the way screens are used.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics found that greater amounts of screen use were associated with lower language skills, while higher-quality screen use, including educational programs and caregiver co-viewing, was associated with stronger language outcomes.
[Read the research: Associations Between Screen Use and Child Language Skills]
Is educational screen time better for language development? High-quality, age-appropriate content may be more helpful than passive or inappropriate content, particularly when a parent or carer watches with the child and talks about what is happening. Shared interaction remains important because young children learn language through responsive, back-and-forth communication.
Should I talk to my child while they are watching a screen? Yes. Commenting, naming what you see, pausing to allow your child to respond and connecting what is on the screen to real-life experiences can create more opportunities for language learning.
What can I do instead of screen time to support language? Talking, reading, singing, imaginative play, outdoor activities, shared meals and everyday routines all provide valuable opportunities for children to hear and use language.
When should I seek help for my child’s language development? If you are concerned about how your child understands language, uses words and sentences, interacts with others or communicates their needs, consider speaking with a Speech Pathologist. An assessment can help identify your child’s communication strengths and any areas where support may be beneficial.