Caught in the Web of the Net? Part II: A Motivation-Based Developmental Psychopathology Model for the Aberrant Internet Use in (Young) People with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Researchers created a theory to explain why young people with autism use the internet differently. They found autistic individuals often spend too much time gaming or watching videos online, but use less social media than others. The theory suggests this happens because of autism traits like having strong specific interests and finding face-to-face conversations challenging. The teenage years are especially important to watch, as internet habits can become problematic during this time.

This theoretical article presents a motivation-based developmental psychopathology model to explain internet use patterns in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Building on meta-analytic evidence from Part I showing that people with ASD have higher rates of problematic internet use but lower social media engagement, the authors propose that specific social, coping, and enhancement motives drive these patterns. The model suggests that ASD-specific characteristics like narrow interests and face-to-face interaction challenges contribute to excessive online activities (gaming, video watching) while reducing motivation for social media use. The article emphasizes adolescence as a critical period for maladaptive internet use development and discusses parental regulation roles and clinical implications.

The model provides a framework for understanding internet use motivations in ASD, suggesting clinicians should assess specific online activities and underlying motives. Intervention strategies should target disorder-specific characteristics and consider developmental timing, particularly during adolescence. Parent involvement in regulating online behaviors appears important for preventing problematic internet use patterns.

This is a theoretical model rather than empirical research. The model requires validation through future studies. The abstract does not provide specific evidence or data to support the proposed theoretical framework beyond referencing meta-analytic findings from Part I.

In Part I (Muris et al. in Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 22:549-561, 2025), we provided meta-analytic evidence showing that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or high levels of autistic traits exhibit higher rates of problematic internet use (PIU), but paradoxically have lower levels of social media use compared to typically developing individuals or those with lower levels of autistic traits. The current theoretical article introduces a motivation-based developmental psychopathology model aimed at clarifying the motives behind the atypical internet and social media use observed in people with ASD or with high levels of autistic traits. We argue that excessive online activities, such as gaming and watching videos, can be understood through specific social, coping, and enhancement motives for internet use, which are especially prominent in ASD due to disorder-specific characteristics such as narrow interests and challenges in face-to-face interactions. In contrast, when it comes to social media use, these three motives operate differently, leading individuals with ASD to exhibit lower motivation to engage in online social interactions compared to neurotypical individuals.

The current article emphasizes adolescence as a critical developmental period where internet use can easily become maladaptive and explores the role of parents in regulating the online behaviors of young people with ASD. Finally, the clinical implications of the model are briefly discussed.