Does Screen Time Do More Damage in Boys Than Girls?

Abstract

Background Technological progress, particularly accelerated by the recent pandemic, has led to the digitalization of many aspects of daily life. Consequently, children are increasingly exposed to screen time, raising concerns about its potential impact on early development. Methods Four separate questionnaires were developed for different age groups (12-18 months, 19-30 months, 31-48 months, and 49-72 months). Data were collected over a two-month period from three major pediatric facilities, and social media platforms were also utilized to reach participants. The total sample size consisted of 5,137 children. Results Exposure to active screen time was found to increase the risk of expressive language delay, with a significant correlation identified between early screen time exposure and expressive language delay. In the 12-18 months age group, the OR was 1.52 (p = 0.008, χ²(1) = 7.08, p = 0.008), while in the 19-30 months age group, the OR was 1.79 (p = 0.0002; χ²(1) = 14.30, p < 0.001). Conclusions This study provides significant insights into the complex relationship between screen time exposure and expressive language development in young children. Our findings reveal that early screen time exposure is associated with a higher risk of expressive language delay. The data suggest that children aged 12-30 months are especially vulnerable. However, we cannot definitively state that the amount of average daily screen time is significantly changing the outcome. Conversely, we also found that a lack of screen time exposure may be associated with an increased risk of language delay in children aged 31-48 months, highlighting the nuanced role of screen time in child development. Parental supervision is a critical factor; however, our study indicates that higher levels of supervision do not consistently mitigate the risks associated with screen time across all age groups. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying factors contributing to the observed differences in susceptibility to expressive language delay among genders and to examine the long-term impacts of early screen exposure. By understanding these dynamics, we can better support children's developmental needs in an increasingly screen-saturated environment.