Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an emerging neurodevelopmental disorder that features impairments in social communication and repetitive behavior. There is new evidence to show that excessive exposure to screens is likely to play a role in ASD-like signs, but regional data are scant, especially in Saudi Arabia. This research attempts to investigate the relationship between usage of smart devices and ASD-like behavior in children in the Al-Baha area.
Methods: A cross-sectional, self-report questionnaire study was performed among 243 parents or primary caregivers of 1–18-year-old children in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. Information on screen time habits, behavioral reactions, socio-demographics, and ASD-like symptomatology was gathered through a verified bilingual electronic questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression were performed with a p < 0.05 level of significance.
Results: Smart device use was seen in 92% of children, with more than half having over 3 hours of screen time per day. Excessive use was strongly correlated with greater social isolation (74%), emotional dysregulation (43% exhibiting acute reactions upon device removal), and poor communication improvement (62% having partial or no improvement). YouTube and entertainment apps were the most commonly used platforms. Non-school-going children or those who had no siblings were more dependent on screens. Even with a high level of parental education, awareness of ASD was low.
Conclusion: The results indicate a significant correlation between extended use of smart devices and symptoms of ASD in children. The findings highlight the importance of early screening, education of parents, and public health policy to manage screen time during these sensitive developmental periods.