Rosie comments... on screen time research
​​​​
12 January 2026
Rosie comments on government research into screentime for toddlers
New government research shows that children with a screen time of around five hours a day learn "significantly" fewer words than those with lower screen times.
Rosie Nicholson, Director of Speech Therapy Surrey London, comments:
“While the research rightly raises concerns about excessive screentime for toddlers, it could go further. We need to look not only at children’s screen use, but crucially at parents’ screen use around young children and the impact this has on speech, language and communication development.
​
“For children under five, attachment and attunement form the foundation for communication, language learning and emotional regulation. Speech does not develop in isolation; it develops through shared attention, eye contact, turn-taking and responsive conversation.
​
"When parents or caregivers are often on their phones or other devices, social distancing occurs and opportunities for developing connection and attachment are lost. These everyday moments are when children learn words, sounds and how communication works.
​
“Screens don’t just distract; they create social distancing. Reduced interaction can lead to delayed speech, reduced vocabulary and social communication difficulties. I’m seeing increasing numbers of children with speech delay and emotional regulation challenges, often linked to reduced adult interaction rather than screen use alone.
​
“Covid in particular changed our relationship with screens – it certainly did for me. I know as a business owner and a busy mother how essential my phone is. It is incredibly hard for anyone to change that relationship. I’ve had to reflect and put boundaries in place around my own phone use. Supporting children’s communication development starts with presence, connection and mindful interaction – our attention and voice remain the most powerful tools we have.”