O impacto das redes sociais em indivíduos com perturbação do espetro do autismo de nível 1

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of social media in the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1, in order to understand the impact they may have on mental health, access to information and support, social interactions, and social inclusion and participation. To achieve this, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted, consisting of interviews with participants from four distinct groups: Experts in Social Interaction and Technology Applied to ASD; ASD Specialists; Communication Professionals; and an Individual with ASD. The results demonstrated that social media can provide opportunities for socialization and personal expression for individuals on the autism spectrum, but also present disadvantages in terms of mental health and social interaction, such as social anxiety, social isolation, and cyberbullying. It was found that family and therapeutic support tend to be crucial in assisting individuals with ASD in their digital journey on social media and in contributing to their safe and responsible use. In this regard, several support strategies were proposed. The incorporation of media literacy in schools and training with innovative Virtual Reality technologies were the two main suggestions to promote the effective use of social media platforms. Despite the known risks of social media, individuals with ASD continue to want to use them, making this study relevant to understanding how they should use these platforms in the best possible way.

Date of Award	28 Mar 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Patrícia Dias (Supervisor)