Prolonged exposure to screens (phone, tablet, TV, computer) can have several negative effects on children's language development.

These effects depend on the age of the child, the type of content and the time spent in front of the screen. Here are some of the most important negative effects:

1. Delayed language development: Excessive screen time can reduce face-to-face interactions with parents and other children, which are essential for language development. Children learn new words and sentence structures through direct dialog, not just passive listening.

2. Learning vocabulary: Passive exposure to media content does not replace active, interactive communication. Children who spend a lot of time in front of the screen may have a more limited vocabulary because they do not get the necessary linguistic stimulation through direct conversations, where they can learn nuances of language and the proper context of word usage.

3. Reduced attention and concentration: The fast, colorful and often very dynamic content of television programs or video games can affect children's ability to concentrate for longer periods of time on a conversation or verbal activity. This can affect their ability to listen actively, process information and respond appropriately.

4. Learning inappropriate non-verbal language: Media content, especially cartoons and video games, can present non-verbal communication patterns (gestures, facial expressions) that are not always appropriate or appropriate in the real context. Children may imitate these patterns, which can lead to difficulties in understanding real communication.

5. Decreased social interactions: Time spent on electronic devices can decrease the time for free play and group activities where children develop social and communication skills. This can limit opportunities to practice language in diverse social contexts.

6. Effects of overexposure to foreign languages: Some children's programs are available in languages other than their mother tongue, and overexposure to these can lead to language confusion. Particularly for young children, this can slow down the learning of the mother tongue or lead to a jumbling of words and grammatical structures.

7. Effect on pronunciation: Frequent exposure to digital voices, such as those in cartoons or games, can affect children's pronunciation as they tend to imitate what they hear, including accents, intonations and mispronunciation.

To minimize these negative effects, it is important that screen time is limited and monitored, and that parents encourage face-to-face interactions, games and activities that involve active verbal language and direct dialogue. Careful selection of media content can also help reduce the risks associated with language development.