What is Virtual Autism?

What Is Virtual Autism: Understanding its Characteristics and Management

In this digital age, where screens are ubiquitous, concerns have arisen regarding the impact of excessive screen time on child development. One term that has emerged in recent years is “virtual autism.” However, it is important to note that virtual autism is not a recognized scientific term or condition within the field of autism. While it may not have widespread recognition or acceptance in the scientific community, it is worth exploring the concept to understand its main characteristics and how to manage it effectively.

Origins of Virtual Autism

The term “virtual autism” was formulated in 2018 by Marius Teodor Zamfir, a Romanian psychologist. Zamfir observed that children under the age of 3 who had more than four hours of screen exposure per day exhibited sensory, motor, and social skill deprivations similar to those found in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is important to emphasize that virtual autism is not a recognized medical condition or diagnosis but rather a concept proposed by Zamfir.

Characteristics of Virtual Autism

Virtual autism suggests that constant exposure to gadgets prevents children from exploring the real world through touch, smell, movement, and taste. Overexposing children under the age of 3 to screen time, such as TV, tablets, laptops, and mobile phones, is believed to negatively impact various aspects of their development. Although virtual autism is not a scientifically established term, it is helpful to understand the hypothetical symptoms associated with excessive screen time:

1. Hyperactivity: Children who spend an excessive amount of time on screens may experience hyperactivity, which can manifest as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep through the night.
2. Inability to Focus and Attend: Overusing screens can lead to a lack of responsiveness in children. They may not make eye contact or respond when called by their name, fail to look when someone enters the house, or show a lack of interest in their surroundings.
3. Lack of Interest in Toys and Play Activities: Children exposed to more than four hours of screen time a day may exhibit disinterest in engaging with toys and playing with them. They may not explore or interact with toys as expected, showing a reduced inclination for play activities like hide and seek, tag, or chase.
4. Speech Delay: Extended screen time may hinder a child’s interaction with peers and adults, leading to delays in speech and communication development.
5. Lack of Social Interaction: Excessive screen use can limit a child’s opportunities to interact with others, hindering their exposure to diverse models of social interaction. As a result, the child may struggle with social communication, social play, and social interaction.
6. Irritability and Emotional Instability: Children who spend significant time on screens may become irritable or emotionally unstable when denied access to electronic devices. They may express their frustration through crying, whining, or exhibiting emotional imbalances.
7. Maladaptive Behaviors: Overexposure to screens can contribute to the development of maladaptive behaviors. Children may display tantrums, crying, throwing items, or aggression when they are unable to access their devices or watch their preferred shows.
8. Decreased Cognition: Children who are excessively exposed to screens may have limited opportunities to practice and develop their motor, social, and sensory skills. This limitation could potentially impact their cognitive development and hinder them from meeting developmental milestones.

Managing Virtual Autism

While virtual autism is not an officially recognized condition, it is essential to address concerns about excessive screen time and its potential effects on child development. Here are some suggested methods to prevent and manage the potential impacts:

1. Limited Access to Electronic Devices: Some sources suggest completely excluding gadgets from a child’s life before the age of 3 to minimize screen time exposure.
2. Replacement of Electronic Time: Caregivers are encouraged to engage in playtime with children using toys instead of offering phones, iPods, or TVs as sources of entertainment.
3. Diversity of Play and Social Interaction: It is advised to expose children to a variety of play and social interactions. Taking children outside to playgrounds, malls, stores, and museums can provide them with exposure to different environmental stimuli and models of social interaction.
4. Physical and Sensory Activities: Engaging children in sensory and physical activities is recommended to help them explore their motor coordination and the surrounding environment through touch, taste, smell, and sound. Activities like playing soccer, catch, running, swimming, gymnastics, and creating sensory experiences with water, sand, foam, soap, and playdough can be beneficial.

Remembering the Context

It is crucial to remember that “virtual autism” is not a recognized scientific term, and there is no research supporting this concept. However, ongoing discussions and research explore the potential effects of excessive screen time on child development, particularly concerning sensory, motor, and social skill development. It is essential to consider that screen time is just one of the many factors that can influence a child’s development.

Also read: How to Manage Restrictive And Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism

About Olga Sirbu

My name is Olga Sirbu, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavioral Analyst. My goal is to support and empower families and individuals on the autism spectrum.

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