Written by: Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, Founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center
Originally Published: May 7, 2019 | Updated: August 31, 2026
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (formerly known as Better Speech and Hearing Month), making it the perfect time to talk about healthy communication in a technology-filled world. Technology offers real benefits for kids, but depending on a child’s age, how much time they spend on screens, and what kind of content they’re using, it can also carry some risks to communication and development. A digital diet for kids, a thoughtful, balanced approach to screen use, can help your family get the benefits of technology without the downsides.
What Do Current Screen Time Guidelines Say?
Screen time guidance has shifted in recent years. Rather than sticking to strict, one-size-fits-all hour limits, current pediatric guidance now focuses more on the quality of screen time, the context around it, and how it fits into a family’s overall routine. That said, a few consistent themes remain important across the research:
- For infants and very young toddlers, live interaction, including video chatting with a responsive adult, supports word learning far better than passive screen use
- For toddlers and preschoolers, co-viewing content with a caregiver and choosing high-quality, evidence-backed programming matters more than hitting an exact number of minutes
- For school-age kids and teens, consistent family expectations around when and where screens are used tend to matter more than a specific hour count
Building a Digital Diet for Kids by Age
Infants and toddlers under 18 months. Beyond video chatting with a responsive adult, screen use generally isn’t recommended at this age. Live back-and-forth interaction is what drives early language learning, not passive media.
Toddlers, 18-24 months. If you do introduce digital media, co-view it together so you can interact with the content and connect it to real life. Children this age don’t pick up language and thinking skills from screens the way they do from real interaction with a caregiver.
Preschoolers, 2-5 years. Choose high-quality programs and apps. Research has shown that shows like Sesame Street and other PBS programming can genuinely help preschoolers build early literacy skills. Be skeptical of “educational” apps that don’t have real evidence behind them. Higher-order thinking skills are best built through social play and responsive interaction with you, not an app. It’s also worth being cautious with e-books that have a lot of interactive bells and whistles, since those extra features can sometimes distract from comprehension and reduce parent-child interaction during reading.
School-age kids and teens. Set consistent, family-wide expectations around how much time is spent on screens and what kind of content is being used. Keep devices out of the bedroom, discourage media use during homework, and aim to power down screens at least an hour before bed to protect sleep.
Why Does This Matter for Communication Development?
Communication develops through real, responsive back-and-forth interaction, something screens simply can’t replicate, no matter how well designed. Protecting time for face-to-face conversation, play, and reading together gives your child’s developing brain the kind of input it needs most.
4 Takeaways for a Healthier Family Digital Diet
1. Build a consistent, reasonable technology plan together. Many pediatric organizations offer free tools to help families build a personalized media plan that accounts for time and place, like tech-free zones in the house or tech-free times of day, such as dinner.
2. Model healthy technology habits yourself. Tech-free zones and times should apply to the whole family, not just the kids.
3. Use technology for connection, not just consumption. Two of the biggest benefits of technology are communication and creativity. When possible, choose digital media that lets you interact with your kids, lets them connect with peers, or gives them room to create.
4. Prioritize the basics over screen time. Sleep, exercise, play, reading aloud, and social interaction should consistently come before technology and digital media use.
When Should I Seek Help?
If you’re concerned that your child’s screen habits may be connected to a speech or language delay, or if managing screen time has become a significant source of stress in your family, it’s worth talking with your child’s pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. They can help you figure out what’s going on and build a plan that works for your family.
We’re Here to Help
If you have questions about your child’s communication development or how technology fits into their routine, contact our team at ETLC.
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