It is impossible for us to imagine a life without mobile phones. Everything is mobile-centric. That is why everyone carries a mobile phone, regardless of age. Newborn babies grow up seeing mobile phones. In this context, it is natural that they develop closeness to mobiles and even addiction. What they see is that their parents spend most hours of the day on their phones. Many parents are not aware of the mental and cognitive changes that this can cause in children. Let us look at how excessive mobile phone use by parents negatively affects children.
Reduction in speech or delay in speaking
Today, people mostly talk to those who are far away through mobile phones. Children learn language through direct listening and response. They learn words and language through interaction with others. But many parents do not have time to talk to their children. As a result, children do not grasp words or language properly. Not only is their speech delayed, but when they do speak, their use of words is very limited.
Decrease in interaction and exchange
When a baby makes a sound, the mother or father usually responds to it. When parents talk, the baby responds in return. This is a continuous flow. But with the arrival of mobile phones, this flow is interrupted.
Reduced eye contact
Through interaction, a baby learns many other things as well-facial expressions, lip movements and more. Today, many parents look at their mobile phones more than they look at their children. Because of constantly looking at the phone, eye contact decreases. Eye-to-eye connection is crucial for language development.
Mobile influence extends to children as well
Children who grow up seeing their parents constantly holding mobile phones will first try to grab the phone themselves. To put children to sleep or to feed them, many mothers place a mobile phone in their hands. By using mobiles from a very young age to listen to songs or watch visuals, children too fall into its circle of attraction.
Primarily, excessive mobile use causes delays in children’s speech and slows down their language development. What should parents do to protect children from this problem?
• Keep the mobile aside and spend more time with children
• Increase phone-free conversations
• Respond to the child’s sounds and words
• Offer direct book reading, songs and games to children
Before approaching doctors with complaints such as “my child is not talking” or “pronunciation is not proper,” parents must first gain clarity about how much they talk to their children and how much time they actually spend with them.
