Virtual Autism in Children: Virtual Autism is a new and worrying condition that is emerging in young children due to excessive screen time. This problem is being seen in children whose age is between 0-3 years and who are constantly being allowed to spend time on screen devices like mobile, tablet, TV.
Symptoms of Virtual Autism in Children
The symptoms of virtual autism are similar to those of real autism, including:
- Lack of interest in conversation: The child does not respond even when called by name.
- Lack of eye contact: Children lose the habit of making eye contact with others.
- Delay in language development: Difficulty in speaking and learning new words.
- Lack of social skills: Does not like to play or interact with other children.
- Sudden anger and irritability: The child shows anger when taken away from the screen.
- Lack of attention: Cannot focus on any one activity for a long time.
Why does screen time affect children?
The brain develops rapidly in the early years and children learn from their experiences, relationships, and interactions. If they spend most of their time with screens, their brains are not able to develop social skills and language properly due to lack of input. The bright colours and sounds that are seen repeatedly on the screen also prove to be distracting.
What can be done to avoid Virtual Autism in Children ?
Limit screen time:
- Do not expose children below 2 years of age to screens at all.
- Limit screen time to 1 hour per day for children aged 2-5 years.
Increase communication with children:
- Talk to children daily and listen to them.
- Read books and tell stories.
Promote sports:
- Promote outdoor activities so that children remain physically and mentally active.
Spend time with family:
- Stay away from screens during mealtime and the hour before bedtime.
- Try to give children real-world experiences, like going to the park or meeting friends.
Create a routine for children:
- Establish a fixed routine for sleeping, studying and playing so that children avoid screen addiction.
Seek expert advice:
- If you feel that the child is showing symptoms of autism, immediately consult a child psychologist or specialist.
Virtual Autism in Children is a serious condition, but it can be avoided if identified at the right time and appropriate steps are taken. It is not necessary to stop using screens completely, but it is extremely important to maintain a balance so that children’s mental and social development can happen in the right direction.
