Education logo

The Negative Impact of Gadgets on Speech Development

Exploring How Excessive Screen Time Can Delay Children's Communication Skills

By Artis KingPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
Please click the video to learn more

As a society, we can no longer deny the significance of technology's influence. Our daily lives have been revolutionized by the widespread availability and pervasive use of portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. While these gadgets have made many things easier, they have also hampered our capacity for meaningful conversation. We'll discuss the effects of technological speech delays and some strategies for dealing with them in this blog post.

Please click here for gadgets the can help with speech development

Face-to-face interaction is impeded as a result of the prevalence of technological devices. As technology has advanced, individuals have begun to rely more on their devices and less on one another for communication. This shift away from in-person interaction has negative effects on children's social and linguistic development. Less face-to-face interaction might hinder a child's ability to pick up on subtleties in tone, inflection, and body language, all of which are crucial to effective communication.

Girls Interacting Face to Face

In addition, a child's capacity for focus and attention may be impaired by the constant stimulation provided by displays. Because of this, they may have trouble learning new material and may be slowed down in general. Children who rely too much on electronic devices are also less likely to engage in creative activities like role-playing and storytelling, both of which are essential to their healthy language and communication development.

By Microsoft 365 on Unsplash

It has been shown that folks who spend too much time glued to their screens see a deterioration in their ability to communicate with others. Those who spend a lot of time communicating via screen-based means may find it difficult to put their ideas across verbally. The resulting misunderstandings and communication gaps can have a destructive effect on both personal and professional relationships.

Please click here for gadgets the can help with speech development

As a result of using these devices, people spend less time reading, which is another way that they postpone speech. Having less time to read can have a negative impact on a person's ability to communicate and learn new words. The inability to speak clearly in one's chosen field or with one's loved ones is only one of the many negative consequences of a lack of language proficiency that can arise as a person matures into adulthood.

By Alexandra Fuller on Unsplash

The quality of textual communication may suffer as a result of the widespread use of devices, which may lead to the abuse of shortcuts like abbreviations and emoticons. When communicating in a professional situation, when brevity and clarity are of the essence, abbreviations and emoticons can be problematic because not everyone uses them. One's reputation and trustworthiness can take a hit if they abuse these shortcuts in their written communication.

By CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

The negative effects of technology on language and communication skills are only part of the story; there are also physical health risks associated with excessive device use. Constant staring at a screen has been linked to a host of health issues, including fatigue, irritability, and even sleep disruptions. Problems falling asleep at night and staying asleep over time may be a long-term effect of the blue light emitted by electronic devices.

By Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Individuals need to be cognizant of the impact technology has on their life and take measures to reduce the negative impacts of technology on speech and communication. Limiting one's time spent in front of a screen, spending more time with friends and family in person, reading books, and participating in physical activities can all help. Parents and teachers should place a premium on language and communication skills when interacting with youngsters, and they should actively promote two-way conversation and creative role-playing.

Please click here for gadgets the can help with speech development

As a conclusion, it is clear that the widespread use of electronics has had a major influence on our capacity for meaningful verbal exchange. Technology is slowing down our language development in a number of ways, including by limiting our time spent in face-to-face interaction, making it harder to focus and pay attention, cutting into our reading time, and negatively affecting our physical health.

REFERENCES:

1. The Impact of Technology on Communication" by Sarah Rosen, published in Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahrosen/2019/06/04/the-impact-of-technology-on-communication/?sh=1672c2f84a3a)

2. "How Technology is Impacting Communication Skills" by John McWhorter, published in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/09/how-technology-is-impacting-communication-skills/379160/)

3. "The Impact of Technology on Children’s Development" by Centre for Children and Technology, published in Childnet International (https://www.childnet.com/resources/the-impact-of-technology-on-childrens-development)

4. "The Pros and Cons of Technology on Communication" by Rachel Kaser, published in MakeUseOf (https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/pros-cons-technology-communication/)

5. "The Impact of Technology on Language and Communication" by Brian Clark, published in Copyblogger (https://www.copyblogger.com/impact-of-technology-on-language-and-communication/)

These references provide further information on the impact of technology on communication and language skills and suggest ways in which individuals can mitigate the negative effects.

Disclosure: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service through one of these links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us to continue to bring you valuable content. Thank you for your support

how tostudentcourses

About the Creator

Artis King

Studied Journalism and Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland at College Park. I cover health, finance, and lifestyle topics. I have a passion for helping my readers lead healthier and more financially secure lives.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.