Early Childhood Screen Time, Brain Development, and Autism

Question: Does screen use contribute to autism symptoms in young children?

Answer: Although there isn’t evidence that screen media use causes autism, there are a growing number of studies that link higher daily screen use with more autism-like symptoms in early childhood. However, it’s important to note a few things: 

• Most studies used autism screening tests, like the MCHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers), which is not the same thing as autism diagnosis. Many children may fail an autism screening test and not go on to have autism; they may have other issues like early ADHD, trauma, or other developmental delays.  
• Only one study looked at autism diagnosis. This was a study in Japan in which children’s screen use duration at age 1 predicted parent-reported autism diagnosis at age 3. However, children with autism will already show subtle developmental differences at age 1, which might lead to heavier media habits. For example, children with autism may crave visual-spatial experiences like videos; or their parents might use media to calm them down or teach them language.  

These studies are more evidence that it’s a good idea to avoid lots of screen time in infancy (birth to 18 months). Infants just don’t have the cognitive skills to learn from screens at this age, and it gets in the way of activities that build brains, such as talking to infants, back-and-forth play, singing, or reading together. Research shows that products or programs claiming they are able to help babies learn language or regulate emotions are not telling the truth.  

For children with social-emotional challenges, such as increased fussing or tantrums, difficulty with back-and-forth play and language, keep media to a minimum (perhaps less than 1 hour/day), use educational content (such as PBS KIDS and Sesame Street), and sing/talk along if you can. Play is the best way to teach them social-emotional skills. 

Ultimately, why are autism rates rising? Autism is a genetically-driven condition, meaning that it is caused by differences in our DNA. Researchers think autism is becoming more common for a few reasons: 1. Diagnostic shift - Children that used to be diagnosed with a ‘developmental delay’ now are recognized as having autism; 2. Increased rates of screening and identification; and 3. The increase of premature infants, who are at higher risk of autism. We don’t have enough research to know whether media use is contributing to the rise.  

What is the impact of screen use on brain development? 

Only one research study has examined differences in brain anatomy in young children based on their screen media experiences. It’s hard to get a young child to sit through a brain MRI, which are loud, long, and claustrophobic! One research group recruited about 50 preschool-aged kids to undergo a brain MRI. They found that the children with more unhealthy media use (i.e. longer time per day, less healthy content, and having a device in the bedroom) had brain differences such as white matter and grey matter that was less organized.   

For some parents, hearing about brain differences makes them scared that kids will be impacted by screen use for the rest of their lives. The truth is, everything a child does will change their brain structure a little – from the amount that you sleep, are read to, or how you play. However, this brain plasticity (the ability of young brains to rewire and develop new skills) means you can also make a lot of progress with small changes in habits! If you reduce screen use to one predictable time of day, and add a half hour of reading to your child every night, this goes a long way to helping your child’s development. 

Brain scan research can only tell us so much. Parents can’t scan a child’s brain every year, to see how that child’s development or mental health is doing, and that’s okay! As a parent, it’s important for you to develop your own indicators of how your child is doing. Some easy-to-measure indicators: are they getting enough sleep? Are their grades OK and are they understanding their homework? Are they doing OK with friends, and are you feeling connected with them (sometimes, at least)? Do they like themselves? Come up with your own “scan” of how you think your child is doing or ask their pediatrician or teacher what they think. Don’t compare with other kids – use your own internal sense of who your child is and what wellness looks like for your child.  

Additional Resources:  

• Beyond Screen Time: Help Your Kids Build Healthy Media Use Habits – The AAP provides tips on how to help children develop healthy media use habits. 
• Common Sense Media’s Early Childhood Toolkit addresses challenges that parents may face in guiding their children’s media use.  
• Common Sense Digital Citizenship Curriculum – Contains lessons on digital media and the brain to help students understand how media can make them feel “addicted” by their design. 
• Common Sense Media article on helping your children with autism manage their sensitivity to movies and shows. 
• How should I handle my child’s media use if they have autism spectrum disorder? – Tips from the AAP and Dr. Jenny Radesky on how to handle child’s media use if they have autism spectrum disorder. 
• Common Sense Media Best Apps for Kids with Autism  

Age: 0-8, early childhood 

Topics: Screen time, digital media, brain development, autism spectrum disorder, MRI, fMRI, FNIRS, Magnetoencephalography 

Role: Pediatrician