Impact of the Use of Interactive Screens on Language Development in Children up to 6 Years of Age: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This review finds that excessive screen time in young children may harm language development, but the impact depends on how screens are used and the context.

Contribution

The paper systematically reviews observational studies to clarify the relationship between interactive screen use and language development in children under 6.

Findings

Excessive screen time is linked to negative effects on expressive language and vocabulary.

The context and quality of screen use, such as parental mediation, influence developmental outcomes.

Results are inconsistent due to methodological differences across studies.

Abstract

The study aims to examine the association between interactive screen use and language development in children up to 6 years of age through a systematic review of observational studies.

This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search included four databases and used the PECOS strategy. Observational studies—either cross‐sectional or longitudinal—that investigated the relationship between the use of mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets) and language development in children aged 0–6 years were included. Duplicate records were removed using Rayyan software. Screening was carried out in pairs in two stages: title/abstract review and full‐text reading.

Most of the evidence suggests a negative association between excessive screen time and language development, particularly in expressive language and vocabulary. However, some studies found no statistically significant association, suggesting that factors such as exposure time, quality of interactions and family context influence the observed outcomes. Methodological heterogeneity limited direct comparisons between findings.

Although the results are not consistent, there is evidence of negative effects of prolonged and unsupervised use of electronic devices on young children's language development.

Early and excessive exposure to interactive screens may negatively affect expressive language and vocabulary development in children under 6 years of age.The context and quality of screen use—including parental mediation, co‐viewing, and the type of content accessed—are crucial in determining its impact on language development.Health professionals and educators should guide families on the importance of supervised, limited and purposeful screen use during early childhood.Public health policies should reinforce the dissemination of screen time guidelines and promote media literacy among caregivers to reduce potential developmental risks.

Early and excessive exposure to interactive screens may negatively affect expressive language and vocabulary development in children under 6 years of age.

The context and quality of screen use—including parental mediation, co‐viewing, and the type of content accessed—are crucial in determining its impact on language development.

Health professionals and educators should guide families on the importance of supervised, limited and purposeful screen use during early childhood.

Public health policies should reinforce the dissemination of screen time guidelines and promote media literacy among caregivers to reduce potential developmental risks.

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