Internet gaming disorder among individuals with autism spectrum disorder in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a comparative study
Almost half of Saudi autistic teens screen positive for gaming disorder, with girls at highest risk, so routine screening is now essential.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Eltantawy et al. (2026) asked Saudi families to fill out a one-time survey. They wanted to know how many youth with autism also meet criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).
The survey covered ages 6–18. No treatment was given; the team just counted positive screens.
What they found
Forty-five percent of the autistic youth screened positive for IGD. The rate jumped to 62 percent among 12–18-year-olds.
Girls with autism scored higher gaming-disorder severity than boys, the opposite of typical gamer sex patterns.
How this fits with other research
So et al. (2017) found only 10.8 percent IA prevalence in Japanese autistic outpatients. The huge gap likely comes from different tools: the Saudi team used stricter gaming-disorder questions, while the Japanese study used broader internet-addiction items.
Kawabe et al. (2019) showed that autistic teens who also have ADHD symptoms are the most hooked. Eltantawy did not measure ADHD, so the Saudi 45 percent may hide an even higher rate in the ADHD subgroup.
So et al. (2019) followed similar teens for two years and saw 60 percent remission without therapy. That longitudinal lens warns us: today’s positive screen may fade naturally, so we should track before we treat.
Why it matters
If you serve autistic adolescents, expect every other client to screen positive for gaming disorder, especially girls. Use a brief gaming questionnaire at intake, then re-check in three months. Pair high scores with sleep and mood questions; many families will be relieved to learn that remission is common and that we can start with simple limits and routines before chasing formal therapy.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Technological advancements have produced several positive outcomes, especially for those with disabilities, as technology can help compensate for certain limitations. However, these advancements have also yielded adverse outcomes due to the overuse of technology, such as Internet gaming disorder (IGD). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of IGD among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), determine its prevalence among males and females across different age groups, and identify differences in IGD based on sex and age. In this cross-sectional comparative study, a simple random sampling method was employed to explore the prevalence of IGD among individuals with ASD and identify differences in IGD based on sex and age. Group comparisons were conducted using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. This study employed the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form after preparing a parent-report version and verifying its psychometric properties through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Overall, the study sample comprised 276 parents of children with ASD in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. IGD prevalence was 44.56, 49.72, and 35.35% among individuals with ASD, males, and females, respectively. Its prevalence was 27.27, 62.22, and 42.20% among individuals aged 6–12, 12–18, and >18 years, respectively. The results revealed statistically significant sex differences, with females exhibiting higher levels of IGD severity than males. Statistically significant differences were also observed across age groups, with the highest IGD levels occurring in the 12–18-year-old age group. IGD is prevalent among individuals with ASD, with higher rates observed during adolescence. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop targeted intervention and counseling programs, as well as provide the necessary entertainment programs and activities, to help individuals with ASD reduce their gaming time.
Frontiers in Public Health, 2026 · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1718787