Neurodivergent Children and Media Use with Meryl Alper, PhD

Neurodivergent children’s relationships with technology is subject to many common myths and misconceptions: Does digital media use cause ADHD? Do children with autism have more affinity for screens? 

In this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry and Dr. Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University, address these myths and what her research on digital media and neurodivergent youth can tell us about how they experience media use and potential overuse.

Dr. Alper describes in detail the unique opportunities and risks of digital media for children with autism and ADHD, and provides actionable tips for parents, clinicians, and children’s media companies to best accommodate and include children across the spectrum of neurodiversity. 

In this episode, you will learn:

1. The risks and benefits of media use for neurodivergent youth.
2. How to think beyond “time spent” on media to evaluate healthy or problematic use.
3. Why platforms like TikTok are  popular for self-diagnosis and identity exploration, and the risks that come with it.  
4. Unique considerations for neurodivergent youth when using social media platforms that rely on manipulative algorithms. 
5.  What neurodivergent youth say they really want from their digital media experiences, based on Dr. Alper’s interviews. 

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)

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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au