Excessive Screen Time in Children May Cause Virtual Autism and Obesity

Excessive screen exposure in children has become a serious concern for health experts. Dr. Farid Agung Rahmadi, a member of the Growth and Development and Social Paediatrics Coordinating Work Unit at the Indonesian Paediatric Association (IDAI), has emphasised that this habit carries serious consequences for child development, both in the short and long term.

Farid explained that short-term impacts typically appear within less than five years of exposure, whilst long-term effects emerge after prolonged screen time exceeding five years.

For infants and children under two years of age, short-term risks include motor development delays, speech delays, and cognitive impairment. Farid highlighted the emergence of behavioural disorders resembling autism, a phenomenon termed “virtual autism”. “There are persistent behavioural disorders that resemble autism, or what is termed virtual autism. So, it is essentially autism-like,” Farid stated.

Beyond behavioural concerns such as hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating, excessive screen exposure triggers sleep disorders caused by artificial blue light from devices, which disrupts melatonin production. This reduces children’s rest and causes sleep difficulties.

If this habit continues long-term, children are vulnerable to declining academic performance at school, difficulty focusing, and increased susceptibility to bullying. Physical health issues such as obesity pose a genuine threat due to reduced physical activity. “Remaining in a fixed position for more than one hour can lead to obesity, with risks of non-communicable diseases from poor physical health, sleep disorders, and obesity,” he added.

Farid emphasised that “excessive” screen time is not measured solely by duration but also by minimal content selection and low parental engagement. He stressed that parents should not simply sit beside children whilst they use devices. “Parents must not merely accompany children beside them; they must actively serve as guides bridging what children see on screens with practical skills they can apply in the real world,” Farid concluded.

Screen time in Indonesia remains notably high, exceeding 7.5 hours daily, with children under two years old also experiencing significant screen exposure. Nine of ten cities in Indonesia are classified as child-unfriendly due to minimal parks and open play spaces, with 70 per cent of existing facilities already unfit for use.