Unveiling the impact of cartoon-based screen time exposure on the auditory and phonological processing abilities in young children

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Speech Language and Hearing

Abstract

Background: Excessive screen time and exposure to cartoons are linked to atypical sensory development, poor auditory responsiveness, and difficulties in pattern recognition and language development. This raises an important question: Does this impact children's ability to perceive temporal resolution? If so, could it be a contributing factor to atypical language development? Objective: To investigate the effect of cartoon-based screen time on auditory and phonological processing skills. Design: Using a cross-sectional observational study design, all participants were subjected to the Gap Detection Test (GDT), Temporal Modulation Transfer Function (TMTF), Speech Perception in Noise (SPIN), and phonological processing tests. Study Sample: The study compared two groups of 64 children each: one group excessively exposed to cartoons and another group less exposed to cartoons. The children's ages ranged from 5.6–8.6 years. Results: Auditory tests indicated a significant difference in TMTFs at frequencies of 32 and 64 Hz. However, the GDT and SPIN tests showed no significant differences. In the phonological awareness assessment, significant differences were found in word identification, sentence segmentation, rhyme oddity, and phoneme blending. The phonological naming domain, which included rapid naming tasks involving objects, digits, and alternating sequences, also showed significant differences. Additionally, in phonological memory, sentence repetition was significantly affected. Conclusion: Excessive cartoon-based screen time may impair temporal resolution and contribute to language delays in children, negatively affecting their phonological development. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry India identifier: CTRI/2023/02/049665.

DOI

10.1080/2050571X.2025.2542041

Publication Date

1-1-2025

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