上網多唔等於「沉迷社交」：研究整理自閉特質同網絡使用、社交媒體使用嘅關聯 Using the Internet a Lot Is Not the Same as "Social Media Addiction": What Research Says About Autistic Traits, Problematic Internet Use and Social Media Use

作者 Byline：周Sir／chausir.com

本文由 AI 協助整理公開資料。 This article summarises public research with AI assistance.

1. 呢份研究做咗啲咩 ｜ What the study looked at

中文

荷蘭同國際團隊 Muris、Otgaar、Donkers、Ollendick 同 Deckers，2025 年喺一份兒童同家庭心理學回顧期刊發表兩組後設分析，整理（年輕）自閉人士／較高自閉特質，同「有問題嘅網絡使用」（problematic internet use，PIU，包括整體 PIU、有問題嘅遊戲、過度用手機），以及同社交媒體使用量嘅關聯。[1]

English

A Netherlands and international team (Muris, Otgaar, Donkers, Ollendick and Deckers) published two meta-analyses in 2025 in a child and family psychology review journal. The work gathers findings on (young) autistic people / higher autistic traits and "problematic internet use" (PIU, including generalised PIU, problematic gaming, and phone overuse), and separately on social media use volume. [1]

2. 研究見到啲咩 ｜ What the review found

中文

第一組後設分析納入 46 項研究、合共 42,274 名參與者；第二組納入 15 項研究、合共 7,036 名參與者。

研究發現，自閉／較高自閉特質同較高 PIU 水平有中等程度正相關（平均效應量 r = 0.26，95% CI [0.21, 0.31]）。效應喺「有問題嘅遊戲」較強，整體 PIU 次之，過度用手機則唔顯著。年齡組同研究方法亦有調節作用：兒童同青少年嘅關聯相對較細，年輕成人同成人較大；作者推測部分同家長喺成長期可調控上網有關。

另一方面，自閉／較高自閉特質同社交媒體使用量呈中等程度負相關（r = −0.28，95% CI [−0.38, −0.18]），即文獻整體顯示呢班人較少用典型社交平台。作者提醒研究質素多數屬中等、量度唔夠一致，社交媒體嗰組可能有發表偏誤，並呼籲未來用更精細嘅網上行為觀察。以上係對現有量化研究嘅綜合，唔代表每個自閉青少年一定會「沉迷」或者一定唔用社交媒體，亦唔係講因果。[1]

English

The first meta-analysis included 46 studies and 42,274 participants. The second included 15 studies and 7,036 participants.

The review found a medium positive association between autism / higher autistic traits and higher PIU (average effect size r = 0.26, 95% CI [0.21, 0.31]). The effect was stronger for problematic gaming, next for generalised PIU, and not significant for phone overuse. Age group and study method also moderated the findings: the association was relatively smaller in children and adolescents, and larger in young adults and adults. The authors suggest this may partly relate to parents being more able to shape online time during the growing years.

Separately, autism / higher autistic traits showed a medium negative association with social media use volume (r = −0.28, 95% CI [−0.38, −0.18]). Across the literature, this group tended to use typical social platforms less. The authors note that study quality was mostly moderate, measures were not consistent enough, and the social media set may show publication bias. They call for finer observation of online behaviour in future work. This is a synthesis of existing quantitative research. It does not mean every autistic teen will "get hooked" or will never use social media, and it is not about cause and effect. [1]

3. 讀研究時要留意 ｜ Reading the findings with care

中文

呢篇係兩組後設分析，整理現有量化研究點樣描述「有問題嘅網絡使用」同「社交媒體使用量」同自閉特質嘅關聯。兩樣嘢方向唔同，唔好混為一談：前者係時間失控、影響日常運作嗰類上網；後者係典型社交平台嘅參與量。納入研究多數來自外國樣本，香港屋企空間細、補習同手機共用習慣唔同，只可以作參考。[1]

English

These are two meta-analyses. They map how existing quantitative studies describe the association of autistic traits with "problematic internet use" and with social media use volume. The two patterns go in different directions and should not be mixed up: the first is about online use that runs out of control and gets in the way of daily life; the second is about how much people take part on typical social platforms. Most included studies come from samples outside Hong Kong, where home space, tutoring load and shared-phone habits differ, so the findings are a reference only. [1]

4. 香港家長可以點留意 ｜ Small things Hong Kong parents can notice

中文

香港細路成日「機不離手」，有特殊需要孩子嘅家長成日擔心「係咪成日打機」「點解 WhatsApp／Instagram 反而好少用」。呢篇回顧提醒：文獻入面見到嘅，係「有問題嘅網絡使用」同自閉特質有關聯，同時「典型社交媒體」參與反而可能較少；兩樣嘢唔好混為一談。

日常可以試吓：分開問「打機／睇片」同「同人傾偈嘅平台」各自用幾耐、用嚟做咩；同孩子一齊訂可預知嘅上網時段同「收機信號」，而唔係只靠責備；留意網上交友、遊戲語音會唔會係佢覺得較安全嘅連結方式；同學校對齊「功課／興趣相關上網」同「失控上網」點樣分開處理。

喺 CRP（Communication, Relationship, Parenting）嘅角度，上網本身可以係溝通同關係：大人同孩子一齊講清楚用途同時段，保留可預知嘅節奏，而唔係一次過禁晒。研究只係參考，每個家庭同學校節奏唔同，唔使怪自己或者怪孩子。如上網已經長期影響睡眠、上學或全家衝突，可以向學校或相關服務單位查詢。

English

Hong Kong children are often "phone in hand". Parents of children with special needs often worry "are they always gaming?" or "why do they barely use WhatsApp or Instagram?". This review is a reminder that what the literature shows is an association between "problematic internet use" and autistic traits, while participation on typical social media may be lower; the two should not be treated as the same thing.

In everyday life, you could ask separately how long "gaming / watching clips" and "chat platforms with people" each take, and what they are for. Set predictable online time windows and a clear "phone away" signal with your child, rather than relying only on scolding. Notice whether online friends or game voice chat feel like a safer way for them to connect. Align with the school on how "homework / interest-related online time" and "out-of-control online time" are handled differently.

From a CRP (Communication, Relationship, Parenting) point of view, online time can itself be communication and relationship: adults and the child talk through purpose and time windows together, keep a predictable rhythm, and do not ban everything in one go. The research is a reference only. Every family and school has its own pace, and there is no need to blame yourself or your child. If online use has long been affecting sleep, school, or family conflict, you can check with the school or a relevant service unit.

資料來源 ｜ Sources

1. Muris, P., Otgaar, H., Donkers, F., Ollendick, T. H., & Deckers, A. (2025). Caught in the Web of the Net? Part I: Meta-analyses of Problematic Internet Use and Social Media Use in (Young) People with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 28(2), 392–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-025-00524-8

免責聲明 ｜ Disclaimer

教育資訊，非診斷或醫療建議。 Educational information, not a diagnosis or medical advice.

周Sir 嘅講座同文章屬家長教育，不提供診斷、評估或治療，亦不提供醫療或用藥建議；如有需要，請諮詢合資格專業人士。

Chau Sir's talks and articles are parent education. They do not provide diagnosis, assessment or treatment, and do not provide medical or medication advice. If needed, please consult a qualified professional.