Investigating the Impact of Electronic and Digital Devices on the Development of Language Cognitive and Motor Skills of Children and Toddlers: A Case Study in Health Centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

In the recent years, the age of children and toddlers which use electronical and digital devices, for example televisions, is decreased. As a result, long time exposure to these devices cause impact on cognitive and language and motor skills of children and toddlers leading to concern among their parents. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the determination of electronical devices impact on development of language, cognitive and motor skills of children and toddlers in health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

This research was a cross- section and analytical study conducted in health centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences at 2020-2021. This research community was 306 children and toddlers between 18 to 30 months old. The research sample was determined by Krejcie & Morgan table based on inclusion criteria’s and random allocation during different days. The research tools of this research were demographic, ASQ questionnaire and McArthore words inventory which their face and content validity and reliability was confirmed. The data analyzed by SPSS software and person regression test.

We observed no regression between duration use of television and the other electronic device and the age groups of children and toddlers. Also, there was negative regression showed between motor skills of children and toddlers and their age groups (P=0.004, r=-0.979). Although, the negative regression between 20, 27, and 30 age groups of children and toddlers and duration of parent’s employment, (P=0.031, r=0.833, P=0.002, r=0.988, P=0.045, 0.767) and positive regression between cognitive and motor development of children and toddlers and their parent’s education (P=0.041, r=0.568, P=0.002, r=0.988, P=0.045, r=0.767).

As a result, long time exposure to television and digital devices, job status and educational level of parents impressed evolutionary area of their children and toddlers. Therefore it is necessary to create limitation on using these types of devices, and the presence of parents with their children and reducing the duration of their employment and having high education have positive impression on their cognitive mental and motor development.