An extra hour of watching puts your child at risk: Screens and their relationship to autism and impulsivity

Two recent studies, conducted at Drexel University in the US and Fukui University in Japan, revealed alarming results about the impact of young children’s screen time. Research has shown that early exposure to television or videos may be associated with the emergence of behaviors similar to those found in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.

Early exposure to television

The findings suggest that infants and children who watch screens at an early age may develop what is known as “atypical sensory behavior,” an unusual way of processing sensory stimuli such as sound, light, and touch.

This may manifest itself as withdrawal from the surrounding environment, excessive stimulation-seeking, or extreme distress from loud sounds or bright lights.

According to Karen Hefler, an associate professor of psychiatry at Drexel University and the study’s lead researcher, these sensory patterns are closely linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, most notably autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The study relied on national data that included 1,471 children in the United States between 2011 and 2014. Children’s screen exposure was measured at ages 12, 18, and 24 months, and then their sensory behavior was assessed at 33 months.

The results revealed that exposure to screens at 12 months of age was associated with a 105% increased likelihood of developing abnormal sensory patterns.

Each additional hour of daily screen viewing at 18 months increased the likelihood of some of these behaviors by 23%, while an additional hour at 24 months was associated with a 20% increased likelihood of atypical sensory behaviors.

These findings add to a growing array of concerns associated with children’s screen time, such as delayed language development, sleep problems, poor concentration, and delayed problem-solving skills. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen use for children younger than 18 to 24 months, while limiting its use for older children.

Researchers believe that reducing screen time and educating parents may be an important step to reduce potential risks to brain development in the first years of a child’s life.