University of Granada study links excessive screen time to childhood language difficulties

Research led by the University of Granada and the University of Southern Denmark has identified a link between excessive screen time and interconnected linguistic difficulties in children aged 3 to 5. Based on data from 16,914 minors, the study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that exceeding recommended screen limits is associated with a denser network of warning signs across various communication dimensions.

Rather than appearing as isolated issues, language difficulties in these children tend to manifest simultaneously across different competencies, such as understanding instructions, explaining experiences, or expressing needs. While the study shows a strong association between these variables, researchers noted it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, as family, social, and educational factors also play significant roles in child development.