Background: The first two years of life represent a critical period for neurodevelopment. Despite the World Health Organization(WHO) recommendation of zero screen time for children under two years, digital screen exposure (DSE) among young children continues to rise. Objectives: This cross-sectional study , using retrospective parental recall, examined screen exposure up to 2 years of age, among children now aged between 2 and 5 years. It analyzed usage patterns (device, duration, and content), reasons for screen use, parental awareness of risks, and the potential association between screen time and speech delay . Methodology: The study included 317 parents of children attending outpatient departments and well-baby clinics at tertiary care hospitals in Kandy district. Data were collected using selfadministered questionnaires. Language milestones were assessed using the Child Health Development Record. Children with global developmental disorders, sensory impairments or syndromes were excluded. Results: Only 28.8% of children had no screen exposure during infancy . Among those exposed, smartphones (74.5%) and cartoons (84.5%) dominated. Screen use was primarily motivated by perceived educational benefits (43.3%) and as a feeding distraction (42.2%). While many parents were aware of behavioral risks such as sleep disruption (41.3%), misconceptions were evident, with 25.1% and 41.3% attributing DSE to Down syndrome and Autism, respectively . No statistically significant association was found between screen time and speech delay (p = 0.247). Conclusion: The high prevalence of early DSE and significant parental misconceptions highlight the urgent need for targeted parental education. Larger-scale longitudinal studies are needed to investigate long-term impacts on speech.