1Resident Dental Intern, Department of Pedodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, 160, Poonamallee High Road, Vellappanchavadi, Chennai 77, Tamilnadu, India. Email: 152101004.sdc@saveetha.com
2Associate Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, 160, Poonamallee High Road, Vellappanchavadi, Chennai 77, Tamilnadu, India. Email: rameshr.sdc@saveetha.com
Corresponding Author: Dr. Ramesh R, Associate Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, 160, Poonamallee High Road, Vellappanchavadi, Chennai 77, Tamilnadu, India. Email: rameshr.sdc@saveetha.com
Introduction: Virtual autism, marked by autism-like symptoms from excessive screen time, is an emerging concern with the rise of fast-paced social media reels. These reels can overstimulate young children, affecting their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Aim: To investigate the prevalence of virtual autism symptoms in children frequently exposed to social media reels and explore the relationship between exposure duration and symptom severity.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai from May 2024 to June 2024 with a sample size of 100 children aged 2–6 years who were exposed to social media reels and without significant sensory impairments. The data was collected using convenience sampling to evaluate the impact of social media reel exposure on virtual autism symptoms. Data were collected through a structured parental questionnaire, and statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis, were performed with p < 0.05 set as the significance threshold.
Results: The study revealed considerable differences in behavioral and autism-related traits among participants, identifying screen time, bedtime routines, and imitation behavior as significant influencing factors (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were noted between screen time preference and autism scores (r = 0.692). Multivariate analysis emphasized bedtime and imitation as critical factors (Pillai's Trace = 0.849). Reliability testing showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.849), with factor analysis retaining 18 key items explaining 82% variance.
Conclusion: The study highlights the significant impact of social media reels on children's behavior, stressing the need for screen time guidelines. Promoting balanced screen time and parental involvement is crucial to mitigate developmental risks linked to virtual autism.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Media, Screen Time, Child Development, Cross-Sectional Studies
How to cite this article: Chandran ABS, Ramesh R. Association Between Early Social Media Exposure and Autism Like Behaviour in Young Children - A Cross Sectional Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 365-377. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.41
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None