Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: Children with higher screen exposure at around one year of age are more likely to develop autism or autism-like traits by the age of three, experts have warned, underlining growing concern over early and prolonged screen use.“There has been considerable research on screen time and autism. Studies show that children who had higher screen exposure at around one year of age were more likely to have autism by the age of three, particularly among boys, though similar trends are seen in girls in terms of symptoms,” said Prof Sheffali Gulati, Faculty In-Charge, Pediatric Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS.She added that multiple studies, including meta-analyses, have found that the earlier screen exposure begins and the longer its duration, the stronger its association with autism.“We also conducted a study comparing children with autism and other children and found that those with autism had been introduced to screens earlier and had longer durations of use. Their screen dependency scores were also higher,” she said.Experts cautioned that this is an association and not a direct cause, as autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors.Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social interaction, communication and behaviour, and can often be identified as early as 12–18 months, making early identification and intervention critical.Prof Gulati emphasised the need to strictly limit screen exposure. “Children below 18 months should not be exposed to screens at all. Between 18 months and 6 years, screen time should be minimal—ideally limited to about one hour a day and only with supervision. For older children, it should not exceed two hours,” she said, citing guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Government of India.She stressed that direct interaction with children is essential for development. “Communication, play and human engagement are critical for brain development, especially in the early years,” she said.She also highlighted the need to distinguish between passive and active use of technology. Passive screen exposure should be avoided, while interactive tools that engage the child’s thinking may be used cautiously and under supervision.Experts also noted that many children with autism have associated conditions such as attention deficits, behavioural issues and sleep disturbances, which can worsen outcomes and increase caregiving burden.With screen use rising sharply among young children, doctors said awareness among parents is crucial to ensure balanced development and reduce potential risks linked to excessive digital exposure.
