Burkina Faso: Dr. Benoît Kpatsa on the toxic impact of screens on language development in children under six

Dr. Benoît Kpatsa, a speech therapist, highlights the growing concern about screen exposure and its impact on children's language development. He explains that language delay in children manifests as a lag in communication acquisition compared to their peers. While screens are not the sole cause, they play a significant role, potentially accounting for 90% of the causes of language delay. Early screen exposure, especially between ages three and six, negatively affects language development by impacting the fragile brain with screen rays, limiting human interaction, and hindering the child's ability to interpret information and react. This can lead to behavioral issues, hyperactivity, and articulatory problems, and in severe cases, may contribute to conditions like autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Kpatsa emphasizes that screens should be introduced only after a child's language development period to enhance existing skills, not to initiate them. He advises parents to be vigilant for early signs of language delay, even from pregnancy, and to seek specialist help if concerns arise. He stresses the importance of human interaction, parental engagement through storytelling and play, and avoiding screens as a means to calm or occupy children. Dr. Kpatsa recommends classifying screens for children under six as "very toxic" and suggests that children should ideally not be exposed to screens until primary school, with limited, structured exposure thereafter. He encourages parents to be mod