Language of New Generation Children: Early Screen Induced Selective Communication Delay

Background: Language development is a natural and but complex development process in human life which starts from day 1 of infant in form of birth cry and keeps on developing with age, experiences and interests. Toddlers who were exposed to intensive screen > 4hours a day was presented as perceived language delay. There came a high rise in Selective language delay where child was able to speak virtual content ranging from Alphabets, numbers, rhymes to favorite cartoon dialogues but unable to make need based or meaningful conversation. Aims: The study aims to study the effect of early screen exposure on language development of toddlers and the effect of reducing screen to zero hours on language development. Study Design: Qualitative method using case study technique. Place and Duration of Study: Online and Offline at Department of Child development at My Family Physio Clinic Bhopal MP India. Methodology: A Qualitative method with case study was conducted on 90 toddlers who presented with selective speech delay during online consultation with help of set of Interviews with Parents and video consultation at regular intervals with toddlers. Results: It was found that 1. Child is not able to communicate with Family and peers. 2. He is always reciting Alphabets/ numbers / rhymes/ Cartoon voices of his own. 3. He was exposed to Screen before 1 year of age for more than 4 hours (10 hours in few cases). Conclusion: This was Perceived as selective speech delay as child was able to speak whatever he observed/ learned from screen of their own but was not able to talk or communicate with Peer or family members and not able to express their needs Verbally because of lack of interactive and social communication during developmental years resulting in Perceived Speech delay. Data analysis with Graphs marks significant relationship between Selective speech delay and Screen exposure and was recovered when screen was reduced and interactive conversation was started within Family environment.