Local authorities across the UK are confronting an 'astronomical' surge in the number of children under five experiencing significant speech and developmental delays, with a new report pointing the finger at excessive screen time.
The Scale of the Crisis
Research commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals that every single local authority has witnessed a rise in young children falling behind in essential skills over the past five years. The most dramatic increase has been in communication needs, with more toddlers identified as being 'pre-verbal' or having limited speech.
The data is stark: eight out of ten councils reported a significant increase in 'communication and interaction needs'. Separate national figures show the proportion of two-year-olds meeting expected speech milestones has dropped from 90% in 2018/19 to 86.6% in 2023/24.
Screens Replacing Real-Life Interaction
Nursery workers interviewed for the study directly linked the trend to a rise in preschoolers' exposure to digital devices. They reported observing children arriving for drop-off in prams while watching screens, missing crucial opportunities for real-life interaction.
One nursery manager felt compelled to issue a plea to parents, stating, "People were coming in on their phones… and actually barely listening to what the practitioners were saying or giving acknowledgement to the child." Another reported, "Children are not spoken to at home but offered screens all day... Children are given parents' phones from six months old."
Broader Consequences for Behaviour and Parenting
The report also highlights a rise in behavioural issues, which nursery staff connect to parents who "don't want to see their child upset" and consequently fail to set firm boundaries. This was described as a "loss of confidence in parenting," exacerbated by isolation from family networks and conflicting online advice.
A council official summarised the concern, noting, "There seems to be a lot of children having issues due to digital devices – children not talking, not socialising, not connecting with peers." While screentime is a major factor, the report also acknowledges the role of growing poverty, family hardship, and an increase in neurodivergence.
The research, conducted by Isos Partnership, is being launched at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth. Its findings are expected to inform the Government's upcoming Schools White Paper and reforms to the special educational needs (SEN) system.
