Recent research suggests that excessive screen time can have detrimental effects on children’s social and emotional development. Associate Professor Michael Nagel from the University of the Sunshine Coast has highlighted that prolonged screen exposure can lead to social deficits and emotional challenges in children, with some effects resembling symptoms of autism.
According to Dr. Nagel, children who spend an extensive amount of time in front of screens may exhibit poor theory of mind, struggle with maintaining eye contact, paying attention, and regulating emotions. This phenomenon has been termed ‘virtual autism’ by clinical psychologist Marius Zamfir, although it is not officially recognized as a clinical diagnosis.
A study conducted by Dr. Zamfir in 2018, published in the Journal of Romanian Literary Studies, observed adverse effects on language, cognition, and social skills in children under three who had more than four hours of daily screen time. However, the study also indicated that a ‘recovery therapeutic process’ involving various treatments such as occupational therapy and cognitive behavior therapy could help alleviate symptoms in heavy screen users.
Furthermore, a University of Queensland researcher found that prolonged gaming sessions exceeding three hours can also impact physical health negatively. The cumulative evidence suggests that excessive screen time during childhood can have lasting implications on social skills and emotional intelligence well into adolescence.
These findings emphasize the need for further research to understand the full extent of the impact of screen time on children’s development during critical developmental stages. As the prevalence of digital devices continues to increase in children’s daily lives, it becomes increasingly important to address the potential consequences and explore strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive screen time.
