Health
Excessive screen exposure in early childhood is giving rise to a condition called virtual autism, where children without a genetic basis are experiencing autism-like symptoms.
Health
The term was introduced in 2018 by Romanian psychologist Marius Teodor Zamfir, after he observed autism-like behaviours in children exposed to long hours of screen time worldwide.
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Unlike autism, which is hereditary, virtual autism stems from prolonged use of phones, tablets and televisions in the first three years of life.
Health
Affected children show delayed speech, reduced eye contact and limited social interaction, patterns that have reportedly grown more pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A paediatrician said the impact of virtual autism is becoming increasingly visible during routine clinic visits, where a child’s development is assessed alongside vaccinations.
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Awareness among parents, especially first-time and working parents, is the most crucial step in preventing virtual autism.