Arab World English Journal (January 2023) Theses ID 289 Pp. 1-61
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/th.289
The Impact of Screen Time on Language Development among Preschool-Age Saudi
Children
Rola Abdulaziz Abdullah Alibrahim
English language lecturer
Majmmah University, Majmaah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Email: rollaalbrahim@gmail.com
Author: Rola Abdulaziz Abdullah Alibrahim
Thesis Title: The Impact of Screen Time on Language Development among Preschool-Age
Saudi Children
Institution: Department of English Language and Literature Al-Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud
Islamic University
Degree: M.A.
Major: Linguistics
Year of award: 2020
Supervisor: Prof. Mohammed Nasser Alhuqbani
ORCid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1602-3544
Keywords: Screen time, Language development, Mobile media, Language delay,
Preschoolers, Educational content, Entertainment content, TV exposure, Technology
Abstract:
Young children are growing up in a new era of technology with increasing exposure to touch
screen devices. In this study, investigated whether exposure to screen time is associated with
children’s early language development. Fifty caregivers of Saudi children aged 24-60 months
completed a media exposure questionnaire and language screening survey. Thirty percent
needed learning activities, while four percent had a language delay and needed further
assessment. Data analysis revealed that spending more than two hours using a mobile device
predict language delay (P = 0.034); children of working mothers had low language scores
compared to children of housewives (P = 0.005); children who were watching entertainment
videos on YouTube had lower language scores than children who watched educational videos
(P = 0.049). Thus, the evidence suggests screen time quantity and quality correlate with
language development among young Saudi children.
Cite as: Alibrahim, R. A. A.(2023). The Impact of Screen Time on Language Development
among Preschool-Age Saudi Children. Department of English Language and Literature Al-Imam
Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University (M.A.Thesis). Retrieved from Arab World English
Journal (ID Number: 289) January, 2023:1-61.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/th.289
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