As the digital world continues to blend with the real one, and as the prevalence of neurodiversity increases as well, people, especially parents, may wonder how to navigate the relationship between the two. An increasing amount of research is being conducted on how digital engagement interacts with neurodiversity, particularly in children, where electronic devices are being used as parenting tools (for better or worse). For www.parenting.digital, Hannah Coulstock highlights the great benefits that digital engagement can bring to neurodiverse youth, while stressing the importance of remembering potential detriments.

Internet addiction

One particular concern that has been reported is the risk of addictive behaviour, particularly with ADHD. Research has indicated that certain aspects of ADHD symptomatology (hyperactivity, attentional difficulties, and impulsivity) in adolescents may be both a predictor of and predicted by internet addiction. This is perhaps unsurprising: the instant gratification, capacity for task switching, and highly stimulating activities that the internet provides are all complementary to ADHD. Furthermore, hyperfixations that are commonly experienced by autistic people lend themselves to addictive behaviour. It is possible for adolescents to become so engrossed by the video games that they enjoy, for example, that other needs are neglected.

For people looking after neurodiverse children and adolescents, it is important to monitor time spent online or playing games. Internet addiction and other pathologies surrounding digital engagement can be detrimental to mental and physical wellbeing, so caregivers should encourage a healthy relationship with the internet.

Safety concerns

Internet safety is important for all users, but there are specific concerns when it comes to neurodiversity. For example, autistic youth sometimes struggle to differentiate between internet users with good intentions and scammers. Texts are not supplemented with nonverbal cues that can help to decipher intentionality, making some people more vulnerable to online scams.

Misinterpretation can also occur with features of social media sites themselves. Facebook asks users ‘What’s on your mind?’ and some autistic people take this at face value as an instruction, leading to oversharing about themselves or others who have not necessarily consented to having certain information shared with a wide audience. Another issue is that sometimes there is misinterpretation of the potential audience of a post, where content that is intended for a certain group of people is shared more widely. This can particularly be risky when locations are involved. For example, Instagram has an option to ‘add location’ when uploading a new post, which could pose a safety risk with inadequate privacy settings.

Unfortunately, the blame is often placed on autistic individuals for their misunderstandings without considering the reasons behind their unintentionally risky actions. Parents, caregivers, and indeed peers must remember to be understanding rather than overly critical. Explaining the unwritten rules of social media can be useful to guide autistic people through the digital sphere, ensuring their own safety.

One other concern is that the internet provides a new platform for bullying, something often experienced by neurodiverse people both online and in person. This can have severe, sometimes fatal consequences. While neurodiverse users may enjoy the fact that they can be anonymous online (potentially choosing to hide neurodiverse traits that would be clear in person), it is a sad fact that some feel this is necessary to avoid being insulted or pitied for who they are.

To mitigate the downsides of the internet, digital services could redesign their interfaces with neurodiverse users in mind. Removing ambiguity about the audience of posts, rewording prompts, and improving moderation features to protect people from harassment or scams are all potential interventions that could improve the neurodiverse experience online.

Benefits of the internet

However, the situation is not entirely bleak. For example, autistic individuals often have niche interests for which they struggle to find connections in real life. The internet, however, offers an endless supply of forums, websites and content for people to enjoy. For autistic people who have difficulties with social relationships, online communities whose members share a common interest can facilitate the formation of new relationships. The internet provides a space for movements where neurodiverse individuals can come together to recognise their identity. People can share their experiences and campaign against ableism together. This can also apply to caregivers or parents who can find communities consisting of others in similar circumstances, like this Facebook group. Here, people can share advice or offer support to those who are struggling. 

The benefits that digital engagement can bring to neurodiverse youth can also extend into real life. Some autistic people bond with their peers over video games that they both enjoy, increasing a sense of belonging that previously felt out of reach. Autistic people may also find it easier to communicate online as opposed to in person. There is less pressure to immediately reply to someone, as there is during a face-to-face conversation, so they can think over their answers for longer. 

The way that social media and other parts of the internet can be used by neurodiverse people to alleviate social pressures is a success that parents and caregivers should keep in mind – the internet is not an entirely dangerous place and when monitored correctly, can bring great joy to the people who use it.

Ultimately, it is understandable for parents and caregivers to be cautious about allowing their children to access the internet, especially if they are neurodiverse. Key advice would boil down to this:

• Providing careful instruction about online behavioural norms
• Teaching children how to navigate the internet safely
• Ensuring a healthy balance between online hobbies and real-life commitments
• Recognise the internet as a tool for social connection and identity formation

There are more in-depth resources available online to help parents, caregivers and neurodiverse children in navigating the internet provided by the NSPCC, CHADD, for example, and support can be found through online communities or professionals for more serious cases.

First published at www.parenting.digital, this post represents the views of the authors and not the position of the Parenting for a Digital Future blog, nor of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

You are free to republish the text of this article under Creative Commons licence crediting www.parenting.digital and the author of the piece. Please note that images are not included in this blanket licence.

Blog editor: Arthur Hutchinson

Cover image: Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels