IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS – A HOSPITAL BASED PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: The early childhood period (0–3 years) is a pivotal stage of swift brain development, where environmental stimulation profoundly impacts cognitive and linguistic progress. However, in contemporary times, children experience increased screen exposure due to nuclear family structures, busy working parents, and a scarcity of alternative caregivers. Screens are frequently utilized during meals to facilitate feeding, and toddlers mimic siblings or peers using devices. Consequently, this study explored the correlation between screen time and language development in Indian children aged 6 months to 3 years. Methods: A prospective observational design was employed at a tertiary care hospital, involving the enrolment of 600 children. Screen habits were assessed through structured parental questionnaires after informed consent, while language skills were measured using the Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST) for children aged 0–3 years. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS v27.0. Results: The majority of children (78.7%) were primarily exposed to mobile phones, with cartoons being the dominant content. Daily screen time varied among participants, with 56.2% spending between 1 and 2 hours on screens, while 25.8% exceeded 2 hours. Speech delay was identied in 4% of children. Astatistically signicant association was observed between prolonged screen time and lower LEST scores (p < 0.05). Additionally, excessive screen use was linked to shorter sleep, reduced play, and tantrums when devices were withdrawn. Conclusion: Excessive and unsupervised screen exposure in toddlers is associated with language delays. Mobile phones, prolonged duration (>2 hours/day), and passive viewing without parental interaction were the strongest predictors of poor language outcomes. Public health strategies should emphasize caregiver education, restricted exposure, and promotion of interactive alternatives.