Virtual autism gripping 3% of children; know symptoms of the condition and why it's caused

Children of this era have mobile phones in their hands from when they are just toddlers. However, the National Centre of Biotechnology has warned about it saying that 3% children these days are falling prey to ‘virtual autism’. Lack of physical activities causes delay in their brain development. 

According to Dr Pankaj Mandaviya there are 8 major signs of virtual autism: 

• Asking for phone all the time
• Not making eye contact while talking
• Not responding to their names
• Constantly repeating words of the videos they watch
• Delay in learning to talk
• Repeating a task again and again
• Not being able to identify family members and relatives
• Not being able to differentiate between colours or shapes 

Hence, experts advise parents to restrict their children's screen time as much as possible. 

Also watch: Survey reveals drastic rise in children's screen time since the pandemic