14. The deleterious effects of screen time on young children include focus issues and emotional dysregulation. As used in the sentence above deleterious means:
Answer: C
Deleterious means harmful.
In the context provided, deleterious refers to something that causes damage or harm. Therefore, screen time negatively affects young children by leading to focus issues and emotional dysregulation, aligning with the meaning of harmful.
A) fateful.
Fateful implies something that has significant consequences, particularly in a negative sense, but it does not directly equate to being harmful. While fateful events can lead to harm, the term does not specifically communicate the damaging effects that deleterious does in this context.
B) prodigious.
Prodigious means remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. This term does not relate to harm or negative consequences, making it incorrect in the context of describing the effects of screen time on children.
C) harmful.
Harmful accurately captures the essence of the word deleterious as it denotes something that causes detriment or adverse effects. In this context, screen time is being described as detrimental to young children's focus and emotional regulation, which aligns perfectly with the definition of harmful.
D) minimizing.
Minimizing suggests reducing or lessening in extent or importance, which is contrary to the intended meaning of deleterious. This option does not reflect the adverse impacts associated with excessive screen time on children.
Conclusion
The term deleterious in this context unmistakably means harmful, as it highlights the negative effects of screen time on young children's behavior and emotional state. Options A, B, and D fail to convey this meaning, and only C accurately describes the detrimental nature of excessive screen time. Thus, C is the definitive correct answer.