Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Free certificates of participation are available upon successful completion of a brief knowledge quiz at: autism.org/social-media-and-neurodiversity
Handouts are online at autism.org/social-media-and-neurodiversity
Social media has been shown to increase access to social and instrumental support, personal enrichment, and even job opportunities. However, these benefits are not being experienced by everyone. For individuals on the autism spectrum, many unintended negative consequences can come from using social media. In this webinar, I draw on our research with youth and adults on the autism spectrum (with and without intellectual disabilities) to explain key benefits and risks that come from using social media. I'll unpack the underlying causes of misunderstandings and negative interactions, and share the self-regulation techniques they use to stay safe on social media. Nonetheless, it proves difficult to navigate the nuances of neurotypical social interactions and the deceitful tactics of bad actors. Because of this, many individuals benefit from joint problem-solving with their support networks. I'll share which approaches were more effective for decreasing risk. I conclude with opportunities for making social media more inclusive of neurodiverse users, and share promising results from our current classroom-based social media safety curriculum. We plan to launch an online version of the class at the end of the year.
Xinru Page, PhD, directs the Social Technology and Privacy Lab at Brigham Young University, where she and her students conduct research on human computer interaction. Dr. Page in interested in the unintended negative consequences when young autistic adults interact on social media.
In this webinar:
2:35 – Background
4:45 – Research & presentation outline
7:38 – Social media outcomes
12:07 – Number 1: Literal interpretation of the interface
16:00 – Number 2: Suggestions as instructions
19:55 – Number 3: Always engaging with content
25:15 – Number 4: Clear expectations
30:55 – Support networks
36:55 – Mediation timing and outcomes
47:50 – Recommendations for working with young adults on social media
53:00– Social media literacy course
57:40 – Q&A
Free certificates of participation are available upon successful completion of a brief knowledge quiz at: autism.org/social-media-and-neurodiversity
Handouts are online at autism.org/social-media-and-neurodiversity
Social media has been shown to increase access to social and instrumental support, personal enrichment, and even job opportunities. However, these benefits are not being experienced by everyone. For individuals on the autism spectrum, many unintended negative consequences can come from using social media. In this webinar, I draw on our research with youth and adults on the autism spectrum (with and without intellectual disabilities) to explain key benefits and risks that come from using social media. I'll unpack the underlying causes of misunderstandings and negative interactions, and share the self-regulation techniques they use to stay safe on social media. Nonetheless, it proves difficult to navigate the nuances of neurotypical social interactions and the deceitful tactics of bad actors. Because of this, many individuals benefit from joint problem-solving with their support networks. I'll share which approaches were more effective for decreasing risk. I conclude with opportunities for making social media more inclusive of neurodiverse users, and share promising results from our current classroom-based social media safety curriculum. We plan to launch an online version of the class at the end of the year.
Xinru Page, PhD, directs the Social Technology and Privacy Lab at Brigham Young University, where she and her students conduct research on human computer interaction. Dr. Page in interested in the unintended negative consequences when young autistic adults interact on social media.
In this webinar:
2:35 – Background
4:45 – Research & presentation outline
7:38 – Social media outcomes
12:07 – Number 1: Literal interpretation of the interface
16:00 – Number 2: Suggestions as instructions
19:55 – Number 3: Always engaging with content
25:15 – Number 4: Clear expectations
30:55 – Support networks
36:55 – Mediation timing and outcomes
47:50 – Recommendations for working with young adults on social media
53:00– Social media literacy course
57:40 – Q&A
