ISSN (Online): 2321-3418
server-injected
Communication and Media Studies
Open Access

The Impact of Smartphones on Children’s Communication Skills Through Research In Some Countries And Vietnam

,
DOI: 10.18535/ijsrm/v13i10.com02· Pages: 83-94· Vol. 13, No. 10, (2025)· Published: October 22, 2025
PDF
Views: 772 PDF downloads: 756

Abstract

In the context of strong development of science and technology, the emergence of more and more types of smartphones has had a great impact on all areas of human activities and life, especially children. Research on the impact of smartphone use is a topic that has been conducted by many researchers in many countries in general and Vietnam in particular. Therefore, research on the impact of smartphones on children in terms of benefits and harms to children is necessary . The article mentions research directions on the impact of smartphone use on children's communication skills through studying theories, concepts, methods, content and general findings on the positive and negative impacts of smartphones on children in some countries in the world and in Vietnam. Thereby, proposing some solutions to improve the effectiveness of phone use for children.

 

Keywords

Smartphonecommunication skillschildrenimpactnegativepositive

References

  1. 1 Ain, Q. S. (2022). The Impact of Handphone Use on Character Development of Children in Elementary School. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 6(1), 145–156.Google Scholar ↗
  2. 2 Albert Bandura , Social Learning Theory , by author Razieh Tadayon Nabavi , Mohammad Sadegh Bijandi (2012), Bandura's Social Learning Theory & Social Cognitive Learning Theory , Accessed September 5, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267750204Google Scholar ↗
  3. 3 American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Association between mobile media device use and expressive language delays in 18-month-old children. (Original study presented at the AAP Annual Meeting).Google Scholar ↗
  4. 4 Asia Plus. (2023). Market Research Report: Smartphone Usage in Children.Google Scholar ↗
  5. 5 Asikainen M, Kylliäinen A, Mäkelä TE, Saarenpää-Heikkilä O, Paavonen EJ. Exposure to electronic media was negatively associated with speech and language development at 18 and 24 months. Acta Paediatr. 2021;110(11):3046–53. doi: 10.1111/apa.16021. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  6. 6 Banan, S. (2020). The impact of smartphone applications on language learning and teaching (A literature review). Budapest International Research and Critics Institute, 3(3), 1876–1881.Google Scholar ↗
  7. 7 Christakis DA. The effects of infant media usage: what do we know and what should we learn? Acta Paediatr. 2009;98(1):8–16. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01027.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  8. 8 Corsaro, W. (2005). The Sociology of Childhood (2nd edition), Thousand Oaks. Pine Forge Press. Efendi, M.F. (2014 ). Pengaruh Gadget terhadap Anak Usia Dini. Accessed from http://fuadefendi.blogspot.in/2014/01/pengaruh-gadget-terhadapperkembangan.html . Accessed August 30, 2025Google Scholar ↗
  9. 9 Curtis PR, Frey JR, Watson CD, Hampton LH, Roberts MY. Language disorders and problem behaviors: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2018;142(2). [ DOI ] [ PubMed ]Google Scholar ↗
  10. 10 Daniel Goleman (2006), Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human RelationshipsGoogle Scholar ↗
  11. 11 Daniel Goleman , (1995) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ Jean Piaget, in his book "The Language and Thought of the Child" (1923),Google Scholar ↗
  12. 12 Do Thuy Dung , Vu Son Tung (2025), Risk of delayed language development in children due to overuse of electronic devices accessed on September 20, 2025 https://qandme.net/vi/baibaocao/su-dung-dien-thoai-thong-minh-o-tre-em.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗
  13. 13 Elias N, Sulkin I. Screen-assisted parenting: the relationship between toddlers' screen time and parents' use of media as a parenting tool. J Fam Issues. 2019;40(18):2801–22. doi: 10.1177/0192513X19864983. [ DOI ] [ Google ScholarDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  14. 14 Fajariyah, S. N., Suryawan, A., & Atika, A. (2018). Dampak penggunaan gawai terhadap perkembangan anak. Sari Pediatri, 20(2), 101-5.Google Scholar ↗
  15. 15 Fajariyah, S. N., Suryawan, A., & Atika, A. (2018). Dampak penggunaan gawai terhadap perkembangan anak. SariGoogle Scholar ↗
  16. 16 Fajariyah. (nd). Pendidikan Bidan Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Airlangga. DepartementGoogle Scholar ↗
  17. 17 Fromkin, V., Rodman, R., & Hyams, N. (2009). An introduction to language. Cengage Learning.Google Scholar ↗
  18. 18 Ganz, JB, BA Earles-Vollrath, SMP (2012) , Effectiveness of a Computer-Assisted Intervention on the Communication Skills of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Journal of Autism and Developmental DisordersGoogle Scholar ↗
  19. 19 Goffman, Erving. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life . Doubleday: Garden City, New York, 1959, Accessed August 10, 2025. https://web.pdx.edu/~tothm/theory/Presentation%20of%20Self.htmGoogle Scholar ↗
  20. 20 Gultom, E. (2015). Linguistics and English language teaching. Proceedings of ISELT FBS Universitas NegeriGoogle Scholar ↗
  21. 21 H. Moon, SY Cho, SM Lim, JH Roh, MS Koh, JK Kim Smart device usage in early childhood in differentially associated with fine motor and language development Acta Paediatrica, 108 (5) (2019), pp. 903-910, 10.1111/apa.14623 View in Scopus Google Scholar , Moon et al., 2019 J.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  22. 22 Hosokawa and Katsura, 2018 R. Hosokawa, T. Katsura Association between mobile technology use and child adjustment in early elementary school age PLOS ONE, 13 (12) (2018), Article e0208844, 10.1371/journal.pone.0208844DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  23. 23 Hutton JS, Dudley J, Horowitz-Kraus T, DeWitt T, Holland SK. Associations between screen-based media use and brain white matter integrity in preschool-aged children. JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(1):e193869–193869. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.3869. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  24. 24 J. Piaget. “The Origins of Intelligence in Children.” New York: International Universities Press, January 1, 1952. Accessed January 8, 2025.Google Scholar ↗
  25. 25 Jean Piaget, Bärbel Inhelder (1969) "Formal Operational Stage" of Cognitive Development Theory in "The Psychology of the Child"Google Scholar ↗
  26. 26 Jing M, Ye T, Kirkorian HL, Mares M. Screen media exposure and young children's vocabulary learning and development: a meta-analysis. Child Dev. 2023;94(5):1398–418. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13927. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  27. 27 Jones. (2010). Language Acquisition (3rd ed.). Jones and Bartlett PublishersGoogle Scholar ↗
  28. 28 Juniardi, Y. (2016). ESL students' critical thinking and their academic writing skill. Center for Studies on Language and Culture–Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, 72–76.Google Scholar ↗
  29. 29 Kagohara, DM, SBV (2013) , Effects of an iPad on the Communication of a Child with a Severe Intellectual Disability, Journal of Applied Behavior AnalysisGoogle Scholar ↗
  30. 30 Korea Information Society Development Institute , 2023, Children, teens using smartphones more: study, accessed September 11, 2025 at https://www.koreaherald.com/article/3363831Google Scholar ↗
  31. 31 Kumpulainen, K., & M.S. (2015) , Digital Literacy and Social Participation in Early Childhood , Learning, Culture and Social InteractionGoogle Scholar ↗
  32. 32 Law on Children (2016), accessed September 8 from website address: https://luatvietnam.vn/lao-dong/luat-tre-em-2016-104818-d1.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗
  33. 33 Le Minh Cong (2013), "Internet addiction among secondary school students in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province", Journal of Community Health. No. 28, pp. 70-78Google Scholar ↗
  34. 34 Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., & Zickuhr, K. (2010). Teens and Mobile Phones. Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project , An initiative of the Pew Research Center . Washington, DC Assessed by August, 4th, 2025. http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspxGoogle Scholar ↗
  35. 35 Madigan S, Browne D, Racine N, Mori C, Tough S. Association between screen time and children's performance on a developmental screening test. JAMA Pediatr. 2019;173(3):244–50. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.5056. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ƯDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  36. 36 Madigan S, McArthur BA, Anhorn C, Eirich R, Christakis DA. Associations between screen use and child language skills: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2020;174(7):665–75. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0327. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  37. 37 Marsh, J., H.J. ( 2016 ), Exploring the Digital Lives of Young Children in a Changing World” , Early Childhood Education JournalGoogle Scholar ↗
  38. 38 McDaniel, 2019 BT McDaniel Parent distractions with phones, reasons for use, and impacts on parenting and child outcomes: A review of the emerging research Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1 (2) (2019), pp. 72-80, 10.1002/hbe2.139 . Google ScholarDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  39. 39 Meniado, J.C. (2016). First languageGoogle Scholar ↗
  40. 40 Nalliveettil, GM, & Alenazi, THK (2016). The impact of mobile phones on English language learning: Perceptions of EFL undergraduates. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 7(2), 264–272.Google Scholar ↗
  41. 41 NICHD Early Child Care Research Network Pathways to reading: the role of oral language in the transition to reading. Dev Psychol. 2005;41(2):428–42. doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.41.2.428.[ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  42. 42 Pew Research Center ( 2015) Teens, social media & Technology 2018 . Research conducted from March 7 to April 1, 2018, accessed from website https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/ ; July 10, 2025Google Scholar ↗
  43. 43 Q&Me (2023), "Smartphone use in children" , accessed from https://qandme.net/vi/baibaocao/su-dung-dien-thoai-thong-minh-o-tre-em.htmlGoogle Scholar ↗
  44. 44 Rahayu, P. (2019). Pengaruh era digital terhadap perkembangan bahasa anak. Al-Fathin: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab, 2(01), 47-59.Google Scholar ↗
  45. 45 Raviv T, Kessenich M, Morrison FJ. A mediational model of the association between sociometric status and three-year-old language abilities: the role of parenting factors. Early Child Res Q. 2004;19(4):528–47. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2004.10.007. [ DOI ] [ Google Scholar ]DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  46. 46 Rosin, M., & Zich, P. (2018 ). The Use of Mobile Phones in the Context of Early Language Development in Children. International Journal of Early Childhood, 10(2), 11-20.Google Scholar ↗
  47. 47 Steinberg, D.D., & Sciarini, N. v. (2006). An introduction to psycholinguistics. Pearson/LongmanGoogle Scholar ↗
  48. 48 Subrahmanyam, K., & BC (2008) , The Impact of Internet Use on the Social and Emotional Development of Adolescents, Child Development MagazineGoogle Scholar ↗
  49. 49 W. Chonchaiya and C. Pruksananonda (2008), Television viewing associates with delayed language development, Acta Paediatrica , Vol 97, Issue 7. accessed August 20, 2025 at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00831.xDOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
  50. 50 Yalda T. Uhls, Minas Michikyan , Jordan Morris, Debra Garcia , Gary W. Small e , Eleni Zgourou f , Patricia M. Greenfield , Five days at outdoor education camp withount screens improves preteen skills with noverbal emotion cues , Comupters in Human Behavior, accessed October 9, 2025 on journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/comphumbehGoogle Scholar ↗
  51. 51 Zaščerinska, J. (2010). Language acquisition and language learning: Developing the System of External and Internal Perspectives. In International Scientific Conference of Daugavpils University, acquisition: A case study of a three-year old Lebanese child.Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Daugavpils Development-JCLAD, 4(3), 98-112.Google Scholar ↗
Author details
Nguyen Thi Hoai An
Consultant
✉ Corresponding Author
👤 View Profile →
Truong Huynh Tam Dan
Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted
👤 View Profile →