Prolonged use of digital devices is unhealthy for children, but is there a connection between autism and screen time? Recent studies have shown that screen time can cause “virtual autism.” For children with ASD, however, the use of social media can provide a buffer enabling them to process information in the real world easily.
As a parent of an ASD child, you would want to help your little one live as healthy a life as possible. This is why you need to be aware of the effects of technology on your child’s well-being and development.
Autism and screen time addiction
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face difficulty in understanding and navigating the world around them.
Furthermore, autistic children are prone to repeating specific patterns of behavior, which makes it difficult to interact with others.
This is why digital devices provide an escape to autistic children, where predictable outcomes allow them to perform according to their own pace.
According to research, autistic children spend more time on screen than children who do not have autism.
About 64.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend their free time on TV and video games. 13.2 percent of young adults with ASD spend time on social media sites, emails, and chatting.
Are there benefits of screen time for autism?
Many parents find that digital devices can be helpful tools for supporting communication, building social skills, enhancing learning, and reducing anxiety in their children.
Screen time and autism offer several benefits for children on the spectrum.
The digital medium provides:
- a calming effect through predictable video games and online videos,
- visual and auditory stimuli not found in face-to-face interactions,
- offers a controlled setting for autistic children to process and improve social interactions,
- effective visual learning tools, helping children with autism learn in a safe environment,
- a chance to bridge educational gaps experienced in traditional classrooms.
Can screen time cause autism?
Screen time does not cause autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with strong genetic roots, and it begins affecting brain development before birth.
But can screen time cause autism-like symptoms? That could be the case at times. Excessive screen time, especially during a child’s early years, can affect how the brain develops.
This may lead to behaviors that look similar to autism, such as delayed speech, poor eye contact, and reduced social engagement. This has been called “virtual autism.”
It’s important to understand the difference: while too much screen time may mimic certain autistic traits, it does not actually cause autism itself.
Limiting screen use in young children and encouraging real-life interaction, play, and communication helps support healthy development, regardless of whether your child is on the spectrum.
If you’re ever concerned about your child’s behavior or development, it’s always best to speak with a pediatrician or developmental specialist.
Does screen time make autism worse?
Although screen time for kids with autism can be helpful, it should be regulated by parents since too much of it can have negative consequences.
When it comes to autism and screen time, excessive exposure may:
- result in sensory overload, disrupted sleep patterns, and heightened stress hormones
- hinder social interaction and language development, as indicated by research in the South African Journal of Communication Disorders,
- worsen sensory issues, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and social anxiety
- contribute to a lower attention span, mental health issues,
- lead to exposure to inappropriate content,
- cause a decrease in physical activity, potentially leading to obesity.
Managing screen time in autistic children
Keeping the advantages and disadvantages of autism and screen time in mind, parents should regulate the time their kids spend on digital devices.
It is important to set out rules for screen time.
For children and young people with autism, the following points regarding screen time should be considered:
- Regulate screen time: Allocate a certain amount of screen time and stick to it. Three hours a day is the maximum time limit for using digital devices.
- Make screen time a reward: Use screen time as a reward for activities your child may not enjoy, such as cleaning up, homework, or other chores.
- Monitor online activity: The digital world can expose children to risks, so it’s important for parents to monitor their children’s online activity. Cell phone monitoring applications can be helpful tools.
- Give a warning before the end of screen time: Give a 10-minute and a five-minute warning before the screen time ends. Use a timer to track the time spent on a digital device, so your child is aware of both the time spent and the time left for screen time.
Age is a factor in determining how much time a child should spend using a digital device. The following table lists the recommended time for each age bracket.
Age(years) | Recommended Screen Time(hours/day) |
3-5 | 0.5-1 |
5-7 | 1-1.5 |
7-12 | 1-1.5 |
12-15 | 1.5-2 |
16+ | 2 |
Autism and screen time: Balance is the key
Digital devices, including smartphones and tablets, help autistic children learn and interact with the world. Digital devices provide comfort and a familiar environment, which makes it easy for kids on the autistic spectrum to perform.
It makes them independent learners and removes distractions that may cause anxiety and trigger stress. Undoubtedly, digital devices are essential to help autistic children’s daily lives.
The negative effects of digital devices are well-documented. The health-related issues caused due to increased levels of screen time are a cause for concern. Therefore, too much screen time is not good either.
This article was featured in Issue 91 – Great Back-to-School Strategies
FAQs
Q: Does screen time cause autism?
A: A study on autism and screen time found that increased screen exposure is associated with more severe ASD symptoms, particularly sensory issues, and can lead to issues in brain development. If your child shows autism-like symptoms and has a history of excessive screen exposure, it might be virtual autism.
Q: How much screen time should an autistic child have?
A: Experts caution parents about the dangers of young children spending three or more hours daily on screens. Excessive screen time, especially at an early age, can impede proper brain development by depriving it of essential stimuli.
Q: Is too much screen time bad for autism?
A: Children with ASD often struggle with social interaction and communication, and too much screen time can make these challenges worse. Additionally, kids with autism may have a tendency for repetitive behaviors, and excessive screen use can reinforce these patterns.
Q: Does screen time cause overstimulation?
A: Excessive screen time and the fast-paced nature of media can contribute to overstimulation. Prolonged exposure may overwhelm the senses and lead to sensory overload.
References
Digital guidelines: Promoting healthy technology use for children
https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/technology-use-children
Prevalence and Correlates of Screen-Based Media Use Among Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorders
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-011-1413-8
Dong, H. Y., Feng, J. Y., Wang, B., Shan, L., & Jia, F. Y. (2021). Screen time and autism: current situation and risk factors for screen time among pre-school children with ASD. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 675902. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.675902/full
Westby, C. (2021). Screen time and children with autism spectrum disorder. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 73(3), 233-240. https://karger.com/fpl/article-abstract/73/3/233/148942
Dong, H. Y., Wang, B., Li, H. H., Yue, X. J., & Jia, F. Y. (2021). Correlation between screen time and autistic symptoms as well as development quotients in children with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 619994. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.619994/full
Yuan, G., Zhu, Z., Guo, H., Yang, H., Zhang, J., Zhang, K., … & Zhang, Z. (2024). Screen Time and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Risk, Usage, and Addiction. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-15. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-024-06665-z
Other articles you may be interested in:
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- Which States Are Most Supportive for Raising a Child with Autism?
- Temple Grandin Wants Kids with Autism to Live Life to the Fullest
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- Is Autism Curable? A Quick Look At Some Treatment and Therapy Options
- The Pathophysiology of Autism Unpacked
- Is There a Cure for Autism?
