According to Kenya National Media Establishment Survey (2023), most Kenyans spend their time watching TV with programmes targeting children leading the pack.
The report further estimates over 81 per cent of the Kenyan population watches TV making it the second most popular medium after radio.
Many parents expose their children to TV, spending hours before screens, watching a variety of content, including cartoons as a form of entertainment.
Kenyans.co.ke spoke to an expert to determine the relationship between TV exposure and language development in children.
Elizabeth Ndindi who specialises in paediatrics revealed a direct relationship between watching too much TV and speech development.
She warned that a child could be affected negatively since a TV is one medium of communication.
“The child most of the time is not talking, she is just listening and seeing what is on television,” she explained.
Her sentiments are supported by findings of the American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) which recommend no screen time at all until children are 18-24 months old.
This is because studies conducted by the association found that children who watched more than 2 hours of TV per day had increased odds of low communication scores.
Ndindi warns that parents should not solely peg speech delay to over-exposure to TV.
“There are many factors that can cause speech delay so it is prudent to visit a doctor for diagnosis,” she advises parents.
Her sentiments were supported by medical doctor Jack Osodo who noted, “There are young children who watch cartoons at a tender age and still not experience speech delay.”
Ndindi explained that the right way to make your child learn quickly how to speak is to have frequent, and direct conversations with them.
While research shows children under 12 months can have speech delays due to TV overexposure, studies have shown older children can exhibit vocabulary growth through watching certain educational programs.
