Doesn’t Look You in the Eye, Only at the Screen. It’s the First Sign of Digital Autism

How to Recognize Digital Autism in Children

Digital autism in children is easy to overlook, especially its first signs. After all, every child stomps their foot sometimes. Every child gets tired or irritable. But when that irritability appears every time the screen disappears, it’s worth paying attention.

Worrying symptoms that may suggest digital autism in children include:

• Violent protests when you take away the device.
• Difficulty sleeping, as if their minds are still racing through the colorful world of apps.
• A lack of eye contact, as if it’s easier to look at a screen than into your eyes.
• Repeating phrases from cartoons or games, like an echo of digital characters.

In turn, this type of behavior leads to serious developmental and social problems in the child, characterized by:

• Delays in speech development or language regression.
• Isolation from family and peers.
• Repetitive actions they’ve seen in cartoons or games.
• Increased irritability.
• Concentration problems.
• A reduced level of creativity.

Scientists are increasingly pointing to a link between excessive use of electronic devices and behaviors resembling the autism spectrum. A team of Polish researchers analyzed existing scientific publications and formulated their own conclusions.

“Excessive screen use can negatively affect language development, attention, cognitive abilities, and emotional regulation. On the other hand, well-selected educational content and a moderate amount of screen time can support cognitive development. The literature analysis also showed that using digital devices can limit social interactions with parents and peers, which are crucial for shaping social skills. Furthermore, research points to the physical consequences of such use, such as vision problems, sleep disorders, and decreased physical activity,” their latest study reads.

Important topic: Educational Games vs. Books. The Fastest Way to Teach a Child to Read

“There Are Homes Where the TVs Are on All the Time”

Dr. Anna Prokopiak, a professor at UMCS, works daily with people on the autism spectrum and with children who use screens excessively. I asked her what these two phenomena have in common.

“What seems key is that we observe similar mechanisms in both autism and with excessive screen use. A child who spends too much time in front of a screen simply has fewer opportunities for direct social contact. And it is precisely these experiences that are essential for the proper development of the brain areas responsible for relationships and communication. […] Of course, contact with technology also provides certain benefits—it supports the development of technical skills and the use of digital tools. However, these skills are insufficient for a child to function fully and in a satisfying way in daily and social life,” explains Prof. Anna Prokopiak.

She also gives practical examples of situations where parents give in to their child on crucial issues.

“I know from my clinical work that there are homes where the TVs are on all the time. I often meet a parent who says that if [the child] doesn’t have a cartoon in front of them, they won’t eat.”

Digital Autism in Children Can Develop from a Lack of Parental Attention

In the digital age, playing with blocks or puzzles, playing with a doll, riding a bike, or a scooter are increasingly losing to a smartphone, tablet, and television. As a result, the child spends most of their time in front of a screen. This was the case for 10-year-old Antoś, the son of Mrs. Dorota.

“My son had access to screens practically from birth. At the time, my husband and I were studying, and my son spent his whole days in front of screens, really,” his mother recalls.

Mrs. Dorota admits that initially, she didn’t notice any worrying signs in her son—apart from the fact that he often imitated the voices of cartoon characters. She notes, however, that the screens also had a positive impact. Antoś watched many cartoons in English, thanks to which he is fluent in the language today. His passion for foreign languages developed so much that he started learning Chinese.

“In hindsight, I know the effects of too much screen time and that we should have limited it more. But I still wonder if without those cartoons, my son would speak English so well today,” says Antoś’s mom.

I asked Prof. Anna Prokopiak for a comment. She emphasizes that such conclusions should be approached with caution.

“Many people develop their skills this way. It’s interesting how he will use these skills, whether he will be able to translate texts, because that requires understanding contexts, synonyms, and close expressions. I know at least a few people on the autism spectrum who, despite having excellent language skills, could not use them functionally,” explains Prof. Anna Prokopiak.

Mrs. Dorota’s second child—six-year-old Marysia today—was born just before the pandemic. The most important months of her development, therefore, fell during the time of isolation. Like her brother, she also spent a lot of time with electronic devices.

Marysia developed a speech development delay. The specialist the parents consulted recommended limiting contact with screens. That’s why Mrs. Dorota and her husband didn’t allow their daughter to use them on her own. She usually watched TV with the family.

“When we were watching something ourselves, we didn’t limit her from doing so,” Mrs. Dorota admits.

Over time, Marysia got more access to devices, however. Today, Antoś and Marysia’s parents no longer enforce specific limits.

See also: Want to Make Better Decisions? Learn to Think Like a Child

How Much Screen Time Isn’t Harmful to a Child?

According to World Health Organization recommendations, children up to two years old should not use screens at all—with the exception of video calls with loved ones. Toddlers aged 2-5 can spend a maximum of one hour a day in front of a screen, and older children and teenagers—up to age 17—a maximum of two hours. This time does not include schoolwork on the computer.

What to Look for When Choosing a Cartoon for Your Child?

• Go for a simple plot—without fast cuts and noisy effects.
• Look for realistic characters and situations that teach empathy and contact with others.
• Choose content that engages the child—for example, encouraging them to sing, clap, or solve simple puzzles.
• Avoid commercials—young children don’t distinguish them from the cartoon, and this can be disorienting.

The Effects of “Digital Autism” in Children

A child who stays in a digital cocoon for too long pays a high price—not only for childhood but also for the future.

Untreated “digital autism” can lead to:

• Worse academic performance.
• Lack of physical activity and weight problems.
• Lowered mood and self-esteem.
• Isolation from peers and family.

This is not a life sentence, however. Digital autism in children can be reversed—calmly and patiently, with small daily steps. It’s not a fight with technology but a fight for a relationship.

• Instead of screens—jump rope, a bike, games with colors.
• Instead of a cartoon at dinner—a conversation.
• Instead of an evening with a phone—a book and a parent’s voice.
• Instead of screens while traveling—singing together and watching the world from behind the window.

Digital autism in children is a warning. If we don’t look at our children—they may stop looking at us. And winning back their gaze is much harder than buying a new tablet.

Polish version: Nie patrzy w oczy, tylko w ekran. To pierwszy znak cyfrowego autyzmu