Introduction: Screen use has become ubiquitous in children’s lives, raising concerns about its potential negative effects, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aims to quantify screen exposure habits in youth with ASD and assess whether these practices are excessive or problematic compared to existing data. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 190 children with ASD. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to parents in paper format at specialized care facilities and electronically through Facebook groups for parents of children with ASD. Children whose screen time was primarily controlled or used exclusively for educational/therapeutic purposes were excluded. Participants were categorized into four groups based on daily screen time: 0 hours, less than 2 hours, between 2 and 4 hours, and more than 4 hours. Results: Among the 190 participants, 12.6% had no screen exposure, 39.5% spent less than 2 hours per day on screens, and 47.9% exceeded this threshold. Of these, 14.2% demonstrated intensive screen use, exceeding 4 hours daily, with some families reporting all-day exposure. Discussion: These findings align with existing literature showing that children with ASD spend more time on screens than their neurotypical peers. Excessive screen use is associated with social difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and an increased risk of problematic or compulsive use. Parents may unintentionally reinforce this behavior to manage their child’s symptoms, often at the expense of more socially engaging and cognitively enriching activities. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for tailored interventions to regulate screen time, promote diverse and social activities, and support families. Such efforts are crucial to preventing the negative impacts of excessive screen use and fostering the overall development of children with ASD.
Belakbir et al. (Wed,) studied this question.