Mobile Phone Use Can Cause Language Delays

Nowadays, many new medical diagnoses have emerged, such as those caused by the use of technological devices. If your baby has had frequent contact with a mobile phone, he or she may experience language delays .

Previous studies have identified a link between the delay in language development and the use of technical devices such as mobile phones. It’s not something specific that triggers this, but cell phones can play a big part in that.

Individual development

We often compare our own children with other people’s, especially when it comes to their development. From when they learn to crawl to say their first words or take their first steps. However, children should acquire these skills within certain specific developmental windows.

Sometime between six months and two years, children should have said a few words. They will probably be quite difficult for outsiders to understand. Common first words are “mom”, “dad” and “lamp”. But even if they have not, we can still not say for sure that they have a language delay.

Experts say that a child can only be considered to have language delays when the following are observed:

• Between 12 and 15 months, the child has not said or uttered any clear words. In this case, we are referring to simple words, such as “mother”.
• If the child at the age of 18 months does not seem to understand what we are saying, for example “no”. Instructions such as “stop” or “sit down” are usually understood by children at this age, even if the child does not say the words himself.
• At the age of three, the child can not yet form short sentences.
• If the child at 4 or 5 years of age is unable to retell short stories, or that it simply does not show any willingness to do so.

How Do Mobile Phones Affect Language Delays?

According to the results of a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers using devices such as cell phones or electronic tablets are at risk. We know that these devices can distract children, and even though we realize it may not be the best, we let them have it anyway.

These devices emit blue light and also loud noises, which have been shown to be dangerous for children’s development. However, the above-mentioned study is mainly about the reasons why speech development can be affected.

In that case, researchers found that half an hour with a cell phone a day can cause language delays. It seems that the interactions with the device in some way eliminate the need to communicate with other people in their environment.

Because they are distracted, they no longer listen to people talking about them. And besides, they do not have to say anything to anyone else, because they are fully occupied with the device.

Experts recommend that children have little to no contact at all with cell phones during the first 18 months of their lives. At this age, they can avoid some of the risks. This advice is based on a study of 800 children between the ages of six and 24 months.

The study took place from 2011 to 2015 and followed the children at the individual level. Language development was observed in children beginning at six months of age. The study ended when the children were two years old.

Recommendations from the experts

Some factors affect more when we discuss the risks of using these types of devices. Just holding a mobile phone will not delay language development. It’s more about the time they spend interacting with the device, as well as what they do on it.

To this end, Dr. Catherine Birken, the researcher behind this study, recommends the following:

• The recommended age that we can start allowing them to use tablets and mobile phones is after 18 months of age.
• The use of technical units should be limited to less than a total of two hours per day and this time should be divided into shorter sessions.
• Offer games and content that are adapted to the children’s age, preferably those that are educational and practical.
• Keep an eye on them even when they are completely absorbed in an activity on the device.
• Be aware that they do not show any delays in their psychological or psychomotor development.
• Never stop talking to them. In order for the little ones to be able to develop their language and speech and avoid language delays, they must be allowed to listen to us at all times.