The glowing mobile phone that keeps a toddler quiet during meals, or the cartoon videos played endlessly to calm a crying infant, may be doing more harm than many parents realize. Doctors at AIIMS Delhi have warned that excessive screen exposure during infancy could be linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like symptoms and developmental delays in children.
The warning comes amid growing concern among pediatric neurologists over rising screen dependency among babies and toddlers, particularly in urban households where digital devices have become a near-constant presence in children’s lives.
In a recent study, they found that children exposed to heavier and earlier screen use were more likely to show autism-related traits by the age of three.
While experts clarified that screens do not directly “cause” autism, they cautioned that prolonged exposure during critical years of brain development may interfere with the social and communication experiences essential for healthy neural growth.
“Studies show that children with higher screen exposure at around one year are more likely to show autism-related traits by age three, particularly among boys,” said Dr. Sheffali Gulati, Professor and faculty in-charge of the Pediatric Neurology Division at AIIMS Delhi.
The AIIMS study, published as an abstract in the Journal of the International Child Neurology Association, analyzed 250 children between the ages of three and 18 years. Among them, children diagnosed with autism were found to have significantly earlier and heavier exposure to screens compared to children with typical developmental milestones.
More than 80% of children with autism reportedly used screens for over 20 minutes per session, compared to nearly 66% among other children. Researchers also noted lower physical activity, disturbed sleep patterns, and greater behavioral difficulties among children with higher screen exposure.
Dr. Gulati stressed, “This does not mean screens alone cause autism. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. However, excessive screen exposure has emerged as an important environmental concern.”
Globally, too, similar patterns are being observed. A large JAMA Pediatrics study involving more than 84,000 children reported that higher screen exposure during infancy was associated with increased autism-like traits later in childhood.
Experts explained that the first three years of life are the most crucial for brain development. During this period, the brain forms millions of neural connections at an extraordinary pace, making infants highly sensitive to environmental stimulation.
“The brain develops through interaction—eye contact, facial expressions, touch, language, and emotional bonding. A screen cannot replace human interaction,” Dr. Gulati said.
The study also suggested that prolonged screen exposure may reduce face-to-face communication, emotional engagement, and verbal interaction between children and caregivers—all of which are essential for language development, social learning, and emotional regulation.
Bright colors, rapid movements, and instant gratification provided by screens overstimulate the developing brain and may reduce a child’s ability to focus on slower, real-life interactions.
Another major concern is sleep disruption. Exposure to blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, interferes with sleep cycles, and affects brain development. Children with excessive screen use are also more likely to develop behavioral issues, irritability, and addiction-like dependency on gadgets, doctors warned.
According to Dr. Gulati, children below 18 months should ideally not be exposed to screens at all, except for occasional supervised video calls with family members. For children between 18 months and six years, screen time should be restricted to less than one hour a day and always under adult supervision. For children above six years, recreational screen exposure should not exceed two hours daily.
“Parents often think educational videos are harmless. But at very young ages, children need human interaction far more than digital stimulation,” Dr. Gulati said.
“Early childhood is not the age for digital dependence. It is the age for conversation, play, affection, and bonding,” Dr. Gulati added.
