Abby Barnes, M.S., CCC-SLP
Too much TV can contribute to a speech or language delay in young children, especially before age 3. Studies link more than 2 hours of daily screen time in toddlers to a 2-6 times higher risk of communication delays. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends no screen time for children under 18 months, apart from video chats with family. For ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to about 1 hour per day of high-quality shows. Below, we explain what the research shows, the expert guidelines, and simple steps to protect your child's language growth.
Key takeaways
Experts recommend avoiding screen time altogether in children under 18 months, except for video chats with family. For ages 2 to 5, try to limit screen time to about 1 hour per day.
Studies show that toddlers who watch more than 2 hours of TV per day are more likely to have a language delay by age 2. The effects are worst when toddlers watch alone, without an adult.
Background TV—even when your child isn't watching—is linked to weaker language skills later on. It’s best to turn off the TV during meals and play.
"Active” screen time (watching with your child and talking with them about what’s on screen) is better than your child watching screens alone.
If you're worried about your child's speech even after cutting back on screens, ask for a speech evaluation. Screen time is just one factor, and a speech therapist can rule out other causes.
Want the study-by-study breakdown? See our deep dive on the latest research on screen time and toddler development. Get the full data from studies in journals such as JAMA Pediatrics, along with what the numbers mean for your family.
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Screener for childrenDoes screen time cause speech delay?
Screen time doesn't directly cause a speech delay, but heavy screen use is strongly linked to slower language growth in toddlers. Every hour of screen time is an hour not spent in back-and-forth talk, shared attention, and playtime, which all build speech and language. Toddlers who watch more than 2 hours a day are 2-6 times more likely to show communication delays by age 2. The younger the child, the bigger the effect.
What does the research say about TV and speech delay?
There has been a lot of research on how screen time affects children's speech and language. For example, this study assessed various types of screen use including TVs, smartphones, tablets, and video games.
The research showed that greater amounts of screen time were associated with a higher likelihood of developmental delays in communication. Take a look at the numbers:
With up to 2 hours of daily screen time at age 1, children were 61% more likely to have communication delays at age 2.
With 2 to 4 hours of daily screen time at age 1, children were twice as likely to have a communication delay at age 2.
With more than 4 hours of daily screen time, children were five times more likely to have a communication delay at age 2.
Another study showed particularly harmful effects of passive TV screen time. Researchers found that before a toddler's first birthday, those who watched more than 2 hours of TV a day were six times more likely to develop a language delay.
While we can’t say clearly that screen time causes a speech or language delay, there certainly seems to be a link between frequent screen use and problems with language development.
For a deeper look at these studies (including the 2023 JAMA Pediatrics analysis of over 7,000 children), see our companion article on the latest research on screen time and toddler development.
Dive into the screen time speech delay study: Learn what research says about toddlers, language development, and the JAMA Pediatrics findings.
What are the AAP screen-time guidelines by age?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has moved beyond just recommending screen-time limits. Their goal is to help families navigate a world in which we’re surrounded by digital media. How much screen time a child gets is still important, but factors such as whether a caregiver watches with them can make a difference.
Under 18 months
Experts recommend no screen time, with one exception: live video chats with family (like calls with grandparents). “Babies this young can't really learn from screens, even from shows made to teach,” explains Alexis Irazoque, M.S., L/SLP, a speech therapist with Expressable. “Their brains build language through face-to-face, back-and-forth time with real people.”
18 to 24 months
If you choose to start screens, keep it to a small amount of high-quality shows. Always watch with your child. Talk about what you're seeing, name the characters, and ask simple questions. Watching screens alone at this age gives little language benefit, and it takes the place of real-life talk that toddlers need.
Ages 2 to 5
Try to limit screen time to high-quality shows for no more than 1 hour per day. “Pick shows made to teach or invite responses from your child, like Sesame Street, Bluey, or Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,” Irazoque says. Watch together when you can. Turn screens off during meals, playtime, and in the hour before bed.
Ages 6 and up
The AAP recommends creating a family media plan. The plan should include limits on screen time so you can prioritize a child’s sleep (9 to 12 hours a night for ages 6 to 12), physical activity, and unplugged family time. Screens should never take the place of these basics.
"When parents ask me if TV caused their child's speech delay, I remind them: no single hour of TV causes a delay,” Irazoque says. “But a pattern of screens in place of talk can affect the language input that toddlers need. Even small changes—iPad off in the car, watching a show together instead of your child watching alone—make a real difference."
Is it OK to have the TV on in the background?
No; background TV is not harmless, even when your baby or toddler isn't watching. Background TV during meals and playtime is linked to weaker language skills later on. Turn off the TV during interactive moments like eating, reading, and playing. Save watching for other times.
Even if your baby or toddler isn't looking at the screen, simply hearing the TV can harm their language development. Researchers studied 2-year-old toddlers who were exposed to TV background noise during family meals. This background TV was consistently linked with lower language scores when they reached kindergarten age. You might think that hearing language from a TV would help a child learn new words. But in fact, background sounds can be more distracting than helpful. That’s because language learning is best when it’s done in person from human beings, not a screen. (And mealtimes are a perfect chance for this kind of human interaction to happen!)
Find out how children learn language and whether speech-focused apps, videos, and TV shows really work.
Passive vs. active screen time: What’s the difference?
Much of this research is focused on passive screen time. Passive screen time refers to when a child is simply sitting and watching a screen, often alone. No one is talking with the child about what’s happening on the screen, or asking the child questions about what they see. There is no interaction happening.
“This passive screen time is what can lead to speech delay and other language issues,” Irazoque says. “Kids' brains are growing rapidly in their first three years of life. If they aren't regularly being mentally and socially engaged in conversation, it can lead to problems.”
There is another type of screen viewing called active screen time. Active screen time is when the child is interacting and engaged in some way, preferably with an adult who’s watching with them. Think of it as the healthy part of a balanced “screen time diet.”
Active screen time encourages your child to participate and interact. Ideally, an adult is watching with them.
Active screen time encourages your child to participate and interact. It stimulates their mind and their creativity. You can make screen time active by watching a TV show with your child and commenting on what’s happening. Ask them questions about what they see, and pause the TV to discuss the show. You might ask, “How is that character feeling?” or “Tell me what just happened!” If the show has commercial breaks, that’s another good opportunity to do this.
You can also choose shows that naturally ask children questions and keep them engaged. Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse are good examples. It’s still important for you to watch TV with your child and interact with them. But it helps to watch shows that ask questions related to problem solving, identifying objects, and discussing what may happen next.
Tips for cutting back on screen time
If you’re reading this and realizing that your child gets a lot of passive screen time, don’t panic! You can work on decreasing how much TV your child watches. Let’s look at some ways to do this.
First, set some ground rules. You can try setting a maximum number of minutes they can spend in front of a screen each day. Or, choose a time of day when TV is allowed (such as an hour before dinnertime), then screens off.
If your child is old enough to understand, make sure to clearly explain why you’re limiting screen time. You can also use screen time as a reward if your child does their chores, completes their homework, or spends time playing outside.
Try to replace screen time with activities your child loves. This may take a bit of trial and error, but some ideas include:
Playing outside or at the park
Reading their favorite books
Singing songs or nursery rhymes, or listening to music
Working on a craft project, like sock puppets or modeling clay
Playing with toys or board games
Cooking or baking together
For older kids, listening to a children’s podcast or audiobook
Going on play dates with friends
For most families, a totally screen-free life isn’t possible, and that’s OK! Try to interactively watch TV with your child when you can, and take steps to cut back on screens if needed. Even small changes can make a big difference.
Are you concerned about your child's speech?
If you think your child might have a speech delay, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Early intervention can make a big difference. Talk to your pediatrician, or contact Expressable to get matched with a speech therapist today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
TV doesn't directly cause a speech delay. But heavy TV use is strongly linked to slower language growth in children under age 3. Studies show toddlers who watch more than 2 hours a day are 2 to 6 times more likely to have communication delays by age 2. The problem isn't the screen itself, it's that TV time takes the place of back-and-forth talk, shared attention, and playtime, which all build speech and language. If your child is showing signs of a speech delay, cutting back on screens is a good step. You should also talk to your pediatrician or a speech therapist.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends no screen time at all for children under 18 months (except video chats with family). From 18 to 24 months, keep it to a very small amount of high-quality shows, and watch them with your toddler. For ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to 1 hour a day of high-quality content. Anything above those limits—especially if your child is watching alone—meaningfully raises the risk of speech delays. Having the TV on in the background can harm language development, too. Be sure to turn it off during meals, playtime, and reading with your child.
Educational shows like Sesame Street, Bluey, Blue's Clues, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood are better than many other shows and videos. But they still don't teach language the way real people do, especially for kids under 2. Educational TV can be helpful when a parent watches with their child and joins in: talking about what they see, asking their child questions, and using new words afterward. For kids learning to talk, watching the best kids’ show by themselves is far less helpful than 10 minutes of face-to-face playtime with you.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech and occupational therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication, feeding, and developmental skills, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 4,500 5-star reviews from our clients (4.83/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech and occupational therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
