Investigating the relationship between screen viewing and social skills and language development in children

Introduction: Childhood, as the most sensitive stage of human development, plays a decisive role in the formation of language and social skills. With the spread of digital technologies, the use of screens has become an integral part of children's lives. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the duration of screen time and the language development and social skills of ۴- to ۸-year-old children in Zanjan.Method: This study was fundamental in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method. The statistical population included all ۴- to ۸-year-old children in kindergartens and educational centers in Zanjan in the academic year ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴, from which ۱۶۰ individuals were selected using the convenience sampling method. The research tools included the Screen Time Questionnaire (Vizcaino et al., ۲۰۱۹), the Language Development Questionnaire (Faramarzi et al., ۲۰۱۸), and the Matson Social Skills Questionnaire (۱۹۳۸). The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression in SPSS version ۲۶ software.Findings: The results showed that there is an inverse and significant relationship between the duration of screen use and children's language development (*r* = -۰.۵۶, *p* < ۰.۰۱). Also, a positive and significant relationship was observed between the duration of screen use and social skills (both healthy and unhealthy) (*r* = ۰.۵۵, *p* < ۰.۰۱). Regression analysis showed that screen time predicted ۳۰% of the variation in language development and ۲۷% of the variation in social skills.Conclusion: The findings indicate that increased screen time is associated with reduced language development and changes in children's social skills. It is suggested that parents and educators help children develop optimally by regulating media programs and encouraging face-to-face interactions. It is also necessary to hold educational workshops to educate families about the effects of screensIntroduction: Childhood, as the most sensitive stage of human development, plays a decisive role in the formation of language and social skills. With the spread of digital technologies, the use of screens has become an integral part of children's lives. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the duration of screen time and the language development and social skills of ۴- to ۸-year-old children in Zanjan. Method: This study was fundamental in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method. The statistical population included all ۴- to ۸-year-old children in kindergartens and educational centers in Zanjan in the academic year ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴, from which ۱۶۰ individuals were selected using the convenience sampling method. The research tools included the Screen Time Questionnaire (Vizcaino et al., ۲۰۱۹), the Language Development Questionnaire (Faramarzi et al., ۲۰۱۸), and the Matson Social Skills Questionnaire (۱۹۳۸). The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression in SPSS version ۲۶ software. Findings: The results showed that there is an inverse and significant relationship between the duration of screen use and children's language development (*r* = -۰.۵۶, *p* < ۰.۰۱). Also, a positive and significant relationship was observed between the duration of screen use and social skills (both healthy and unhealthy) (*r* = ۰.۵۵, *p* < ۰.۰۱). Regression analysis showed that screen time predicted ۳۰% of the variation in language development and ۲۷% of the variation in social skills. Conclusion: The findings indicate that increased screen time is associated with reduced language development and changes in children's social skills. It is suggested that parents and educators help children develop optimally by regulating media programs and encouraging face-to-face interactions. It is also necessary to hold educational workshops to educate families about the effects of screens

Keywords:

Screen , Language Development , Social Skills , Children