A Child Development Consultant, Dr Enifome Ogbimi, has warned that excessive exposure of children to screens is a major contributor to delayed speech development, urging parents to drastically reduce screen time and prioritise real-life interaction.
Speaking on a Television programme, on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2026 Children’s Day, Ogbimi said many parents who complain that their children are not speaking often overlook the impact of prolonged screen exposure on early childhood development.
She advised that children should not spend more than one hour daily on screens, warning that overexposure can disrupt brain development and delay speech acquisition.
“Excessive screen time affects brain development. When the screen is removed, some children begin to speak earlier,” she said, adding that reduced exposure encourages verbal interaction.
According to her, children learn language primarily through face-to-face engagement, a process she said is increasingly being replaced by digital devices in many homes.
“Children need face-to-face interaction time, which builds lifelong communication skills. Many are not getting enough of it,” she added.
Ogbimi cautioned that unchecked reliance on gadgets by caregivers is widening developmental gaps among children, particularly in speech and social interaction skills.
Beyond screen usage, the consultant called for a stronger focus on understanding developmental stages in children, stressing that unrealistic expectations from parents and caregivers often worsen behavioural and learning challenges.
“We cannot truly celebrate children if we do not understand them. They should not be forced to meet adult expectations,” she said.
She explained that many behavioural concerns stem from misaligned expectations between children’s developmental capacity and parental demands.
“Children often get into trouble because adults expect more than they are developmentally able to give,” she noted.
Ogbimi also urged caregivers and policymakers to deepen their understanding of developmental science and neuroscience, saying this would improve parenting practices and child welfare outcomes.
She emphasised that effective child upbringing requires meeting children at their developmental level while gradually guiding them towards expected standards.
“There is a need for parents to understand developmental science and neuroscience to train children properly,” she said.
The expert further called for collaboration among families, institutions and government in ensuring that children’s needs at different stages of growth are adequately met.
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