Resumen
Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia científica sobre la relación entre la exposición al tiempo de pantalla en niños menores de dos años y el desarrollo del lenguaje. Revisión bibliográfica: El desarrollo del lenguaje durante los primeros años de vida depende de la interacción entre la maduración neurobiológica y la calidad de los estímulos ambientales, siendo las interacciones sociales un componente fundamental para la adquisición de las habilidades comunicativas. La evidencia demuestra que la exposición temprana, prolongada y predominantemente pasiva a las pantallas se asocia con alteraciones en el lenguaje receptivo y expresivo, reducción del vocabulario, cambios en las funciones ejecutivas y una menor calidad de las interacciones entre los niños y sus cuidadores. Además, factores como la edad de inicio de la exposición, el tiempo diario de uso, el tipo de contenido consumido, la mediación parental y el contexto familiar influyen directamente en los resultados observados. Por el contrario, los contenidos digitales interactivos, cuando son apropiados para la edad y utilizados con la supervisión de los cuidadores, pueden favorecer determinadas habilidades lingüísticas, aunque no sustituyen los beneficios proporcionados por las interacciones presenciales. Consideraciones finales: La exposición a las pantallas durante los primeros años de vida representa un factor potencialmente modificable para el desarrollo del lenguaje infantil.
Referencias
ALAMRI MM, et al. Relationship between Speech Delay and Smart Media in Children: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 2023; 15(9):e45396.
BAL M, et al. Examining the Relationship Between Language Development, Executive Function, and Screen Time: A Systematic Review. PLOS ONE, 2024; 19(12):e0314540.
BRASIL. Ministério da Saúde. Instituto do Câncer Infantil e Pediatria Especializada. Hospital da Criança de Brasília José Alencar. Desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, sinais de alerta e estimulação precoce: um guia para profissionais de saúde e educação. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2023.
CHENG Y. The Impact of Screen-Based Media Exposure on Infant and Toddler Development: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Behavioral Domains. Acta Psychologica, 2026; 266:106438.
CONTRERAS-SILVA MY, et al. Impact of Electronic Devices Used at an Early Age on Language. Revista Médica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, 2023; 61(4): 427-432.
CORKIN MT, et al. Associations Between Technoference, Quality of Parent-Infant Interactions, and Infants’ Vocabulary Development. Infant Behavior and Development, 2021; 64:101611.
CORRÊA GKF, et al. The Influence of the Family Environment on the Development of Speech and Language in Children: A Systematic Review. Revista Acadêmica Online, 2025; 11(60): 1-16.
DE DOMENICO C, et al. Prenatal Psychological Distress and Neurodevelopmental Trajectories in the First 3 Years: A Systematic Review. BMJ Open, 2025; 15: e104716.
GAGO-GALVAGNO LG, et al. Contributions of Screen Use on Early Language and Development Milestones in Argentinean Toddlers From Different Socioeconomic Contexts. Trends in Psychology, 2023.
JUNGE C, et al. Development of the N400 for Word Learning in the First 2 Years of Life: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021.
KUHL PK. Early Language Acquisition: Cracking the Speech Code. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2004; 5(11): 831-843.
LAMMERS SM, et al. Explaining Adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics Screen Time Recommendations With Caregiver Awareness and Parental Motivation Factors: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting, 2022; 5(2): e29102.
MADIGAN S, et al. Associations Between Screen Use and Child Language Skills: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 2020; 174(7): 665-675.
MASSARONI V, et al. The Relationship Between Language and Technology: How Screen Time Affects Language Development in Early Life—A Systematic Review. Brain Sciences, 2024; 14(1): 27.
MASUR EF, et al. Infants’ Background Television Exposure During Play: Negative Relations to the Quantity and Quality of Mothers’ Speech and Infants’ Vocabulary Acquisition. First Language, 2016; 36(2): 109-123.
MUNDY P, et al. Development of Early Communication Skills in the First Two Years of Life. Infant Behavior and Development, 2013.
MUPPALLA SK, et al. Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. Cureus, 2023; 15(6): e40608.
NWACHUKWU EC, et al. Impact of Screen Time on Language Development and Vocabulary Acquisition in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 2025; 17(11): e97429.
PROVIDELLO CF, et al. Uso de Telas de Mão e Desenvolvimento da Linguagem: Percepção dos Pais para a Construção de Cartilha Orientativa. Revista CEFAC, 2023; 25(4).
SOCIEDADE BRASILEIRA DE PEDIATRIA. Cartilha de Desenvolvimento: 2 meses a 5 anos: aprenda os sinais. Aja cedo. São Paulo: Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria; 2024.
SUNDQVIST A, et al. A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship Between Children’s Exposure to Screen Media and Vocabulary Development. Acta Paediatrica, 2024; 113(3): 517-522.
TAN S, et al. Risk Factors for Delayed Speech in Children Aged 1–2 Years. Paediatrica Indonesiana, 2019; 59(2): 55-62.
VAN DEN HEUVEL M, et al. Mobile Media Device Use Is Associated With Expressive Language Delay in 18-Month-Old Children. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 2019; 40(2): 99-104.
WIJAYA S, et al. Parent Personality, Child Temperament, and Digital Media: Pathways to Language Development in Early Childhood. Developmental Psychology, 2025.
