Enhancing digital citizenship of children and youth with Autism: Evaluating novel screen time guidelines for caregivers and professionals

Abstract

Supporting the development of digital citizenship in children and youth with autism is a concern for many families and clinicians. Nevertheless, there is a substantial gap between the practical applications of research evidence, dissemination methods and available services. In the current study, we assessed the usability of a recently developed evidence-based website, which encompasses guidelines and strategies intended to aid caregivers and professionals in fostering digital citizenship among autistic children and youth. The study included 60 professionals actively working with autistic children and youth, 15 caregivers of autistic children and youth, and 13 participants identifying as both professionals and caregivers. Participants interacted with the website, and then their perspectives on the novel guidelines were gathered through a survey. This survey evaluated vital aspects such as accessibility, organization, clarity, relevance, delivery method, and overall usability of the screen time guidelines website. The results suggest that the newly developed guidelines for children and youth with autism are perceived as clear, well-organized, accessible, and relevant by the participants. Additionally, participants provided valuable insights to enhance the website. They agreed that an online platform is a practical and feasible means to disseminate these novel guidelines. The novel guidelines were found to be a beneficial tool for both professionals and families to support the digital citizenship of children and youth with autism.