Al Kingsley discusses the impact of smartphones on literacy skills
We talk constantly about keeping kids off screens – limiting YouTube, banning tablets at the dinner table and worrying about algorithm overload. But an eye-opening article by NetSupport CEO and EdTech leader Al Kingsley MBE in R.I.S.E. Magazine asks a much harder question: What about our screen time?
In his piece, “Saboteur, intruder, thief – yes, it’s your smartphone,” Al tackles a grwiong crisis in early childhood development that isn’t about finger-pointing, but about self-awareness.
Key highlights from the article
- The power of “contingent talk”: Early language development relies heavily on back-and-forth conversational exchanges between adults and young children. Every time a “ping!” diverts an adult’s glance mid-sentence, those critical micro-learning moments get lost.
- The classroom impact: Recent school readiness data shows that over 80% of early years educators report children struggling to listen or follow instructions, while 70% report difficulty with basic language skills.
- Beyond kids’ screen limits: Focusing solely on limiting children’s screen time only solves half the equation – how grown-ups model attention and conversation shapes early literacy long before a child reads their first book.
- Realistic, zero-guilt steps: The article wraps up with simple, high-impact habits parents and caregivers can adopt right away – like establishing 20-minute daily phone-free zones and actively narrating everyday routines.
“If we want to protect oracy and literacy in the next generation, as adults, we have to start by looking honestly at our smartphone use and understand how it links with the all-important early years of child development.” – Al Kingsley
If you’re interested in early education, parenting in the digital age, or want to rethink your own relationship with your phone, this quick read is well worth your time.