Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a mental disorder brought on by a combination of genetic, biochemical, psychological, and environmental factors. ASD development is 50% likely due to environmental, one of which appears to be children’s screen time, which may cause disparities in early neuropsychological development. In 2000, ASD prevalence was 6.7/1000 in eight years old American children. While in 2010, this prevalence increased to 14.7/1000 and in 2014, it reached 16.8/1000. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a watch time of one hour a day for children aged 4-6 years. A study in Japan demonstrated average cellphone use was 24 hours /week and screen time use between five to seven hours/day in American children. But excessive exposure to screen has detrimental effects on a child’s brain development and overall health. Adverse effects like poor social interaction and language development, mood disorders, and autism-like behaviours, such as hyperactivity, irritability, limited attention span, and altered capability to process are observed. Many studies have found an association between excessive screen usage and autism-like symptoms. The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) is a developed screening tool based on the revised version of the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI), to assess the association between screen exposure time and the development of ASD. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore the association and impact of screen time on autistic -like symptoms in children aged four to six years using SCQ via interviewing parents of preschoolers in PCMC.

Especially in recent years with the outbreak of COVID-19, the percentage of preschool children who use screens more than two hours a day has risen to 84.1%(39). Most households had television (97%), tablets (83%), and smartphones (77%). At age 4, half the children had their own television and three-fourths their own mobile device. New clinical case studies have found that many children who spend a lot of time in front of mobile phone, computer, television or tablet screens may develop a new type of autistic spectrum disorder – virtual autism. Excessive screen time and virtual exposure can cause or mimic autism -like characteristics, such as social disengagement, sensory overload, or speech issues, that may contribute to delays in social communication skills, language development, and attention span, all of which are key developmental areas typically affected in children with Autism -Spectrum Disorder (ASD), even if digital platforms can be therapeutic or helpful for social connection. Additionally, parents gave children devices when doing house chores (70%), to keep them calm (65%), and at bedtime (29%). As the research on virtual autism in Indian scenario remains underdeveloped, this study aims to determine whether screen time is associated with autistic-like characteristics in children aged 4-6 years and which will guide for holistic measures for little one’s to foster healthier and more balanced lifestyles. 

AIM: To find an association between screen time and autistic-like symptoms, in children aged 4-6 years.
OBJECTIVES:
1.      To investigate the association between duration of daily screen time and the severity of autistic-like symptoms.
2.      To investigate the association between age of child exposed to screen time and the severity of autistic-like symptoms.