A New Type of Autism Threatens American Children

A child playing on a tablet in bed. Illustration - MPIX/Shutterstock

Commentary

For some rather odd reason, there are those in the media who would have us believe that screens don’t really harm a child’s development.

However, study after study shows that screen time—specifically, excessive screen time—is intimately connected with conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, two problematic behavior disorders, as well as increased levels of depression and anxiety.

Yes, but what, exactly, does the word “excessive” mean?

In a recent study by Indian pediatricians, more than two hours per day was considered excessive. That’s bad news for the children of the United States, many of whom spend up to six hours each day glued to screens. What is this doing to their brains?

In short, nothing good.

Recent research published in JAMA Pediatrics identified a troubling association between early exposure to screens and various sensory processing problems in children. The study comes at a time when, rather alarmingly, one in three children under the age of 1 in the United States are swiping away on digital devices.

This sobering study suggests that excessive exposure to digital media during the formative years negatively impacts how children perceive and respond to their surroundings. Sensory processing via sight, sound, and touch plays a critical role in integrating information in a cohesive manner. Proper processing allows the brain to generate appropriate responses. It’s essential for everyday functioning and overall well-being.

As the scientists show, excessive screen time appears to disrupt this process. Furthermore, research on neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections in response to learning or experience, indicates that changes in sensory experiences can lead to alterations in brain connectivity. In other words, extended periods of time exposed to screens can have a rewiring effect and result in a host of maladaptive behaviors.

To compound matters, as Marius Teodor Zamfir, a Romanian psychologist, points out, an increasing number of children are developing what he calls “virtual autism.” Whereas autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties socializing and repetitive behaviors, is thought to be more a product of nature than nurture, virtual autism is very much a product of nurture. The current environment in which we are raising children is entirely to blame, according to Mr. Zamfir.

His team’s study revealed that children from birth to 3 years old who spent more than four hours daily fixated on screens experienced profound states of sensory-motor and socio-affective deprivation. Troublingly, this condition triggered behaviors and characteristics resembling those observed in children diagnosed with ASD. Mr. Zamfir and his colleagues found that children with virtual autism suffered severe deficits in social interaction, language development, and cognitive abilities. What is happening? Why is this occurring, exactly?

In short, the nervous systems of babies and toddlers simply aren’t equipped to deal with overstimulation from screens. It’s too much sensory stimulation, too soon in life.

Moreover, when screens are used as a substitute for actual human interaction, the child’s suffering worsens. As obvious as it sounds, excessive screen time isn’t healthy, and it’s not natural. The further we stray away from the actions, behaviors, and traditions that served our ancestors so well, the sicker we seem to become.

This tech-driven abandonment of the basics impacts children’s emotional intelligence, their ability to self-regulate, and their capacity to think in a critical manner.

Commenting on his research, Mr. Zamfir told me that “although there is no medical diagnosis for virtual autism at this moment,” he hopes this will change soon.

“We are working on the finalization of an international documentary made by a team from the United States,” he said.

This extensive project involves several research teams from different countries around the world, including Europe and North America. The documentary, which will be released later this year, noted Mr. Zamfir, “confirms the major damage to young children who watch screens excessively.”

There’s some good news, however. Mr. Zamfir told me that the effects of virtual autism can be reversed.

To address the issue of a child who has spent excessive time in front of screens and is displaying signs of stunted development, there are various approaches that can be taken to reverse the prognosis. These include play therapy, psychomotor stimulation therapy, and language stimulation.

The first step, however, involves removing screens—or, at the very least, reducing the amount of time that young children are exposed to digital devices. Restructuring the home environment to provide more stimulation for the child, an innocent victim in this screen-oriented scenario, is key.

Let’s get back to basics. Children need love from their parents and playtime with other children, free from screens and digital distractions.

As Jacqueline Harding, an expert in the field of child development, recently emphasized: “The young child’s brain and body are intrinsically designed for play. Children are naturally wired to play and any sustained deviation from this masterful design comes at a price.”

It’s not rocket science. It’s human science.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.