Our computer-fixated children lost for words

After the latest Growing Up In Ireland report, the media picked up on childhood obesity, but there was less mention of a more serious issue: one in five children has a speech or language problem.

As more parents get caught up in the virtual world of social media and computer games, and always using their phones, they have little time to chat with their children. When parents have to choose between their children or their phones, in many cases the phones win out.

Some parents, despite the advice of paediatric professionals, are giving computer games and i-pads to children aged under four. Admittedly, this is a great way to keep them quiet, but don’t be surprised if your child can’t speak properly, can’t read facial expressions, and becomes withdrawn.

In the UK, there has been such a reduction in the number of conversations with children that some junior infants are arriving to school unable to talk. Educationalists are so alarmed at the reduction in the talking capabilities of children that they run publicity campaigns to encourage families to talk to each other.

If we still have any notions that we are a well-educated society, the fact that one in five young children has delayed speech should wake us up. Unless parents cop-on, switch off their phones, and engage with their children, there will be an even sharper collapse in our education standards.

John Devlin

Erne Terrace

Dublin 2