Neurodiverse Families Struggling With eSafety And Screentime Balance By Counsellor Leonie Smith
Neurodiverse families can have issues around the use of online devices due to hyperfocus and difficulties of transitioning to other activities. Anxiety and special interests, can put some children at risk of excessive screen use, and venerability to being harmed online.
As a parent of a neurodiverse child, you may face unique challenges when managing your family's internet and screen time use. Research has shown that neurodiverse children, such as those with ADHD, Anxiety, ASD, Dyslexia, OCD, or other learning differences, may be more vulnerable online and face increased risks, including cyberbullying, online addiction, and exposure to inappropriate content. In particular, neurodiverse children may also be more susceptible to problematic internet use.
With my own family having disabilities and being neurodivergent, I deeply connect to the neurodiverse community. As a qualified counsellor working with neurodiverse families and with over 11 years of eSafety education experience, I understand the challenges many families face in this connected world.
Finding healthy and safe ways of using online devices is essential to ensure your child is not vulnerable to online harm and cyberbullying. Supporting a manageable and stress-free approach to technology and screen time that considers your child's learning and coping differences is vital to help your child stay safe and healthy online. Working on effective transitioning strategies to help your hyperfocused neurodivergent young person is critical to ensure they are not distressed when balancing screen time with other healthy activities.
Whilst balancing internet technology and keeping our loved ones safe online has its challenges, It's important to understand that Digital Technology is not all bad and can significantly support neurodiverse folk. It can help them navigate social situations that they might struggle with offline; it can help them find communities that are supportive and who are passionate about whatever special interests they may have. It can often help them develop self-esteem and be a place they can enjoy that is less stressful than some other offline experiences allow.
Working with families with conflict and issues with internet technology takes a therapist who understands the online world, has a positive attitude to technology, and understands how to make the online world safer for people who are neurodivergent. It's a relatively new area of expertise that is quite underrepresented. I opened "Digital Families Counselling" early in 2022 after many families informed me that they were struggling with rewinding screentime after Covid Lockdown and dealing with increasingly dangerous online behaviour.
As an early adopter of online communities and virtual worlds, I learned, very early on in the 90s, the benefits and dangers of online technology for my now adult neurodiverse children, and it's why I started a YouTube channel and blog to help other parents with online safety and balance in 2010.
Don't let your concerns about your family's technology and screen time cause conflict and the breakdown of important family relationships. It's important not to restrict technology use overly but to embrace it with awareness, positivity, safety and balance.
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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