Screen time and autism-like symptoms in early childhood: Examining the concept of virtual autism

Today, the widespread use of digital media has been proposed to contribute to children's exposure to screens at a very early age. Research shows that prolonged screen exposure, especially in the first years of life, is associated with children's cognitive, language, social, emotional and motor development. Early childhood is a critical period during which neurodevelopmental processes progress rapidly and sensitively. In children exposed to intense digital stimuli during this period, symptoms similar to autism spectrum disorder can be observed. In the literature, the term 'virtual autism' has been proposed to describe autism-like symptoms reported in some children with heavy early screen exposure. To reduce the risk of virtual autism, it is recommended that parents limit their children's screen usage time and delay the age of screen exposure as much as possible. Encouraging real-world interactions and face-to-face play in early childhood is important for healthy neurodevelopment. Therefore, being aware of the potential risks of digital media use on child development and taking preventive measures may be helpful for children's physical, mental and social health.