Children’s use of digital devices has grown dramatically in recent years. About 40% of kids have their own tablet by the time they are two years old, and by the time they are four, that number rises to 58%[1]. Approximately one in four kids have a mobile by the time they are eight years old, and 51% of kids under that age have a mobile device. We have known for a long time that excessive screen time can be problematic, and we are finally seeing its effects.
The term “virtual autism” refers to developmental delays and behaviours in children that mimic autism but may really be caused by early screen time. It is crucial to remember that there are presently no accepted diagnostic standards for virtual autism and that it is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Rather, the phrase is used colloquially to characterise children who exhibit symptoms similar to autism following extended usage of digital gadgets throughout their early years[2].
Virtual autism is commonly linked to excessive or inappropriate use of electronic devices such as televisions, tablets, smartphones, and other digital platforms. Significant areas of development may be impacted when kids spend a lot of time interacting with screens rather than people and their surroundings. These could include attention span, emotional development, social interaction abilities, and speech and language development.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and virtual autism are thought to be fundamentally distinct, despite the fact that their behaviours may be similar. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that lasts a lifetime and is mostly caused by neurological and genetic causes. Virtual autism, on the other hand, is believed to be caused by environmental factors, especially extended screen and digital media exposure. Virtual autism is thought to arise as a reaction to excessive digital media intake, whereas ASD usually develops independently of screen exposure.
Not only that, virtual autism is thought to be reversible. Many children exhibit improvement when screen time is decreased and substituted with more enriching activities including play, in-person interactions, and real-world learning opportunities[3]. While children with ASD typically need specialised therapies and still exhibit fundamental autistic features, children with virtual autism frequently react to these contextual modifications rather fast.
Children who exhibit virtual autism symptoms may have trouble interacting and communicating with others. For instance, individuals could have trouble keeping eye contact, interpreting nonverbal clues, and making appropriate facial expressions. They may find it more difficult to create and maintain relationships with others as a result of these difficulties. Excessive screen time has also been connected to underdeveloped social skills, language/communication delays, attention issues and behavioural issues.
Virtual autism raises growing worries about the effects of excessive screen time on early kid development even if it is not a recognised medical disease. Children may have better developmental results if screen time is reduced and more engaging, real-world activities are encouraged.
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