Recent research and government data in the UK have highlighted increasing concerns over the impact of screen time on young children’s language development — including toddlers’ ability to speak and build vocabulary. While screens are now a huge part of family life, evidence suggests that too much passive screen use can interfere with the early years when language skills are rapidly developing.
More Screen Time, Fewer Words
UK government research shows that nearly all two-year-olds are using screens every day, with an average of over two hours of screen time — more than double what the World Health Organization recommends for under-fives. Children with the highest screen exposure were found to have smaller vocabularies compared with those with lower screen use.
Experts warn that this doesn’t just mean less speech while watching screens; it’s also that screen time often replaces other critical developmental interactions — like talking, playing, and reading — that are essential for growing communication skills.
What Research Shows
Beyond this UK data, multiple studies around the world support the idea that excessive screen exposure in early childhood is linked to poorer language skills:
- A review of research on screen time and child language development found that higher screen use and earlier exposure are associated with negative effects on language development, especially in toddlers.
- Studies have found that when screen time displaces parent-child interaction and conversation, toddlers hear fewer adult words and take fewer opportunities to practise speaking. One cohort study found that for each additional minute of screen time, children engaged in fewer conversational turns — which are crucial for early language growth.
- Other research suggests that children who spend two hours or more a day on devices show poorer scores on language development tests and a higher likelihood of language comprehension and expressive language difficulties compared with peers with less screen exposure.
Why Screen Time Affects Speech
There are a few reasons experts think screen use can hold back toddlers’ speech:
- Reduced real-world interactions — Talking and responding in real human conversation is one of the strongest drivers of language development. Screen time often reduces these opportunities.
- Passive learning isn’t enough — Toddlers learn language by hearing and using words in back-and-forth engagement. Screens don’t respond the way a caregiver does, so learning can be limited.
- Displacing active play and reading time — Language doesn’t develop in isolation; it grows through shared attention, play, and rich verbal interaction — all of which can be crowded out by screen use.
What Parents Can Do
Complete avoidance of screens isn’t realistic for most families — and in some cases, co-viewing or interactive apps can be part of healthy use. However, these tips are supported by research and expert guidance:
- Limit passive screen time — especially under age 2 or when it replaces talking and playing with caregivers.
- Prioritise face-to-face interaction — read books, narrate routines, and talk back and forth with your toddler.
- Use screens together — when screen time does happen, be present and talk about what you’re watching rather than letting the child watch alone.
Final Thoughts
Screen time isn’t inherently “bad,” but the amount and context matter — especially in toddlers when language skills are developing quickly. Evidence suggests that more screen time is associated with smaller vocabularies and delayed speech milestones, likely because it replaces the very interactions that fuel early language growth.
Understanding this can help parents make informed choices about how and when screens are used, and support their child’s speech development at this critical age.
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