Safe use of social networks in people with ASD
Technology has great potential and many benefits for people with autism spectrum disorder, but at the same time it can carry countless dangers when used without proper knowledge and supervision.
New technologies can help break down barriers and promote inclusion, socialization, and autonomy for these people, but it is very important that they are prepared and warned about the possible risks arising from their abuse or misuse. The same goes for social networks, which offer great advantages for communication and socialization for people with ASD, but at the same time can generate many problems arising from their use.
Social networks offer great advantages for communication and socialization for people with ASD
Studies highlight, among the main benefits of social networks, the ease of socializing (friendships, partners and the feeling of community that we experience when we are part of a virtual group with whom we can share interests and hobbies) and, on the other hand, the possibility of feeling understood and accompanied by other people who share life stories similar to ours, which help us to understand ourselves and not feel alone. Asynchronous communication also greatly facilitates the maintenance of social relationships and interaction and participation with the community. Thus, 79.6% of adults with ASD use social networks, and the most common reason for doing so is the search for social connection. (Micah O. Mazurek, 2013).
How to help a teenager with ASD socialize
When we talk about social networks, there are some factors that we can take into account to promote good use and minimize possible undesirable consequences :
Training
We shouldn't assume that a person knows how to use social media correctly just because they are digital natives. There are specific programs for users with ASD and online guides that can be downloaded, but adults also need to teach them what is appropriate and what is not, explaining why we shouldn't upload certain photos or what personal content we share.
It is necessary to make it very clear how to use Whatsapp, for example, without the other person feeling violated by the number of messages received; explain that fake news exists, and that not everything we read on Twitter is true, or that there are Tik Tok challenges that are dangerous and very harmful.
Prevention
They need to be informed about the dangers that we can encounter on social networks, such as cyberbullying , grooming or sexting . Many of us have heard of these concepts, but few people are aware of what they really involve. Cyberbullying , for example , goes far beyond insulting someone via mobile phone. Repeatedly excluding someone from WhatsApp groups, spreading lies by creating a fake Instagram account or posting humiliating images on Facebook can be forms of cyberbullying that many people with autism do not identify. Unfortunately, adolescents with ASD are four times more likely to be victims of cyberbullying. On the other hand, it is also necessary to know how to act if we find ourselves in any of these situations.
People with ASD are at greater risk of being victims of these practices, but at the same time, there are also many cases in which they are the ones who misuse social networks out of ignorance and as a direct consequence of the difficulties inherent to the autistic condition.
Supervision
It is important to be able to reach agreements that involve support in the use of social networks. It is recommended to start with a higher level of control and, little by little, as the user acquires more skills, give them more freedom.
Although the risk of addiction to social networks is not as high as the abuse of video games, it is necessary to keep this in mind and establish a plan for the functional use of electronic devices, agreeing on when and how to use them. The less self-esteem, self-control, insecurity and isolation, the higher the risk of abuse of social networks. (Huaytalla et al., 2016)
Teenagers with ASD are four times more likely to be victims of cyberbullying
Similarly, psychological monitoring is necessary to monitor the impact of social networks on mood and mental health, as there has been a disturbing relationship between their use and the development or worsening of some disorders that coexist with ASD, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders.
In conclusion, social media has great potential to help people with ASD, provided they are used with appropriate training and supervision, tailored to individual needs.
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