Digital Exposure and Its Impact on Early Childhood Language Development: A Study on the Role of Family Communication in the Digital Era

Abstrak

This study examines the impact of digital exposure on early childhood language development, with a focus on the role of family communication in the digital era. As screen time and gadget use become increasingly prevalent in children's daily lives, concerns arise about the quality of verbal interaction within families. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research involved in-depth interviews with five parents of children aged 1–6 years who show signs of speech delay in Jakarta and Depok. The findings reveal that digital exposure, when not accompanied by adequate verbal interaction, can hinder children's ability to acquire language effectively. Family communication plays a pivotal role in mediating these effects; children who receive consistent verbal stimulation tend to develop stronger language skills despite digital exposure. The study highlights the importance of parental awareness, emotional involvement, and balanced screen use in fostering healthy language development. This research contributes to the understanding of how modern technological habits intersect with early language acquisition and emphasizes the need for active and responsive family communication in the context of the digital era.