The Impact of Maternal Phubbing on Toddlers’ Language Development and Subsequent Social Development: A Three-Month Time-Lagged Analysis

This study investigates the structural relationships between maternal phubbing, toddlers' language development, and their social development over a three-month interval. The sample consisted of 239 toddlers (aged 16-36 months) residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, along with their mothers and classroom teachers. Data collection was conducted in two phases: the primary survey in May 2025 assessed maternal phubbing and toddlers' language development through maternal reports, followed by a secondary survey in August 2025, where classroom teachers evaluated the toddlers' social development. The findings revealed that while maternal phubbing did not significantly predict toddlers' language development, it exerted a significant negative impact on their social development three months later. Additionally, toddlers' language development was found to positively influence their subsequent social development. These results suggest that maternal phubbing and toddlers' language development operate through independent pathways to influence social outcomes. By employing a three-month short-term longitudinal design (time-lagged design), this study identifies a direct path from maternal phubbing to social development and reaffirms the critical role of early language skills in fostering social competence during toddlerhood.