Online life: internet, social media, gaming and gambling
How autistic adults use the internet, social media, gaming and gambling: what helps them connect and stay safe, what the research says about problematic use, and where the evidence is thin.
How autistic people use the internet, social media, games and gambling. What helps them feel safe and connected, what the research says, and where there is almost no research yet.
Autistic adults online, and what helps Emerging
Autistic people use the internet much as everyone else does, with differences in how and how much: on average they report using social media less than non-autistic people, and, as a later section covers, more problematic internet use.1 Asked what helped them feel safe and included on social media, 50 autistic emerging adults aged 18 to 29 (mean age 24.6) named three things: being among people who shared that they were autistic, keeping control of what showed up in their feed, and choosing how they communicated.2
A survey of 101 young adults with self-reported diagnoses (52 autistic, 49 with ADHD) found that the autistic participants scored higher on a measure of social withdrawal than the ADHD participants, even though the two groups spent about the same total time online. Passive scrolling, rather than active posting or messaging, was the kind of use linked to that withdrawal.3 The study asked people once, so it cannot say whether passive use leads to withdrawal or the reverse.
Many autistic people use the internet much like everyone else. On average, they say they use social media less than other people. They also report more problems with internet use, which a later section covers.1 One study asked 50 autistic adults, aged 18 to 29, what helped them feel safe and included on social media. They named three things: other autistic people, control over what they saw, and a choice of how to talk.2
Another survey looked at 101 young adults who said they were autistic or had ADHD. The autistic people were more likely to want to stay home and avoid people. Both groups spent about the same time online. Scrolling without posting or messaging went with that. The study asked people once, so it does not show which came first.3
The finding on how much autistic people use social media comes from a meta-analysis of 15 studies; the stronger version of how they report problematic internet use is in the later section. What helps them feel safe and included comes from one qualitative study of 50 emerging adults.
A pattern of staying at home and avoiding social contact, named in Japan and now studied in other countries.
One big review supports the finding about social media. The finding about what helps comes from one small study and one survey.
Staying at home and avoiding other people, even when you could see them.
Staying safe online Emerging
Autistic people report high rates of victimization. Across 34 studies of autistic children and adults, a pooled 44% reported some form of it; the same review's estimate for cyberbullying specifically was 13%, taken from a small group of studies, and the authors caution that the studies varied too much to combine cleanly.4
In a study of 219 adolescents with autism, those who were bullied online reported more depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide than those who were not, while being a perpetrator was not linked to those outcomes. The adolescents reported more of this than their parents did, so how the question is asked changes the answer.5
Autistic people are targeted more often than others. Across 34 studies, 44 out of every 100 autistic people reported being hurt or treated badly. The same review found 13 out of every 100 were bullied online. The studies were too different to add up neatly.4
One study looked at 219 autistic teenagers. Those who were bullied online had more depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide than those who were not. Being the person who did the bullying was not linked to those problems. The teenagers reported this more often than their parents did.5
The prevalence figure comes from a meta-analysis, but the online-specific evidence is thin and the clearest cyberbullying study is with adolescents; the meta-analysis pools children and adults together.
The numbers come from a big review, but the online part is thin. The clearest study is about teenagers, not adults.
Autism information online Emerging
Short-form video is now a common place to meet the word "autism." An analysis of 150 TikTok videos about autism diagnosis in adults found that a significant portion were personal stories or misleading, and that the hashtags sampled differed in content, which the researchers read as possible bias in the different channels of information.6 A larger analysis of 597 TikToks and 596 tweets found that only about a fifth (20.4%) contained solely information that matched the diagnostic criteria.7
Neither study shows what viewers take from the content; both describe the content itself.
People often meet the word "autism" on short videos. One study looked at 150 TikTok videos about autism in adults. Many were personal stories or misleading. The videos under different hashtags were different from each other.6 A bigger study looked at 597 TikToks and 596 tweets. Only about one in five held facts that matched how doctors decide who is autistic.7
Neither study shows what viewers take away. Both just describe the posts.
Two content analyses of social media content, one of short-form video and one of videos and posts, both cross-sectional. They describe what is posted, not how viewers respond to it.
The wider analysis put diagnostic accuracy at 20.4% of videos and posts, and its authors read the gap as a possible mismatch between the diagnostic criteria and the experiences people describe.7
Two studies looked at what people post. They describe the posts, not what viewers do with them.
The wider analysis put diagnostic accuracy at 20.4% of videos and posts, and its authors read the gap as a possible mismatch between the diagnostic criteria and the experiences people describe.7
Dating apps and online dating Emerging
Apps promise to lower the social demands of meeting someone, and autistic adults use them. In interviews with 20 autistic adults aged 18 to 29, online dating opened chances to make contact, but it did not remove the hard parts: they described extra work reading unclear messages, deciding how to present themselves, and handling rejection and safety worries. Some used masking to get through interactions and found it hard to keep up.8
Two studies looked at the profiles themselves. An analysis of 52 profiles written by autistic men found they mixed strengths with bluntly negative self-descriptions, and that some named autism directly.9 In an experiment, 306 women rated male profiles that either carried an autism label or did not. Positive wording and the label both raised how attractive the men were rated; among the women shown positive wording, the label made those with little stigma more willing to date the man and those with strong stigma less willing.10 Both profile studies used men's profiles rated by women, so the findings may not carry to other daters.
Apps are meant to make meeting someone easier. Autistic adults use them. In one study, 20 autistic adults aged 18 to 29 talked about it. Apps gave them a way to make contact. But the hard parts stayed. They had to read unclear messages, decide what to say, and handle rejection and safety worries. Some pretended to be more typical, and that was tiring.8
Two studies looked at dating profiles. One studied 52 profiles written by autistic men. The men named good points but also put themselves down. Some said they were autistic.9 In another study, 306 women rated men's profiles. Some profiles said the man was autistic, some did not. Good wording and the autism label both made the men seem more attractive. When the wording was good, the label changed their answer. Women who were relaxed about autism wanted a date more. Women who were tense about it wanted one less.10 Both studies used men's profiles rated by women, so the results may not fit other people.
One set of interviews with 20 young adults, one analysis of 52 dating profiles, and one rating experiment. No study found as of October 2026 has tested an intervention to support autistic adults' online dating.
The experiment measured first impressions of a written profile. It cannot show how real dates or relationships turn out.
One set of interviews, one study of profiles, and one rating experiment. No study found as of October 2026 has tested a program to help autistic adults with online dating.
Gaming Emerging
Video games are a common interest and, for some autistic people, a place to be with others. The research on harm is small and mostly cross-sectional. In one study, 230 autistic adults reported more symptoms of gaming disorder than 272 non-autistic adults.11
A survey of 378 adults points to one association: autistic traits went with playing to escape real-life difficulty rather than to socialize, and escape motives went with more problem-gaming symptoms, though the study cannot say which comes first.12 In a sample of 117 autistic adults, about 1 in 7 screened positive for gaming disorder, and about a third had moderate-to-severe insomnia; in that one sample, men and participants with a co-occurring mild intellectual disability reported more gaming time.13 A larger general-population survey found that autistic characteristics went with more problem-gaming and problem-gambling symptoms, but not with spending more on loot boxes once those symptoms were accounted for.14
Gaming can also be a support. A small evaluation of a Minecraft-based program for autistic youth found that sharing the young people's interest and giving them the expert role helped them build social connection. The study had four young people in it and measured no outcomes.15
Some studies report more gaming-disorder symptoms in autistic adults than in comparison groups, but the evidence is thin and most people who play do not meet the criteria. In the one sample that screened for prevalence, about 1 in 7 did.13
Video games are a common interest. For some autistic people, they are also a place to be with others. The research on harm is small. In one study, 230 autistic adults reported more signs of gaming disorder than 272 other adults.11
A survey of 378 adults found a link. People with more autistic traits played to escape hard parts of life, rather than to be social. Escaping went with more gaming problems. The study cannot show which came first.12 In one group of 117 autistic adults, about 1 in 7 screened positive for gaming disorder. About a third had bad trouble sleeping. In that group, men and people who also had a mild intellectual disability played more.13 A bigger survey of 1,178 adults found autistic traits went with more gaming and gambling problems. It did not find more spending on loot boxes.14
Gaming can help too. One small study ran a Minecraft program for autistic young people. Sharing their interest and letting them lead helped them make friends. Only four young people took part, and the study did not measure results.15
Some studies find more gaming problems in autistic adults. But the studies are few, and most people who play are fine. In the one group that was tested, about 1 in 7 had a problem.13
One case-control study, several cross-sectional surveys, and one small program evaluation. Two surveys measured autistic traits rather than diagnosis, and the program study had four young people in it.
A pattern of gaming that is hard to control and causes problems in daily life, listed in the World Health Organization's classification of diseases.
A paid in-game item that gives a random reward, which researchers compare to gambling.
One study compared autistic adults with other adults. The rest were surveys, plus one small program study with four young people.
When playing games is very hard to stop and causes problems in daily life.
A paid item in a game that gives a random prize. Scientists compare it to gambling.
Problematic internet and phone use Established
Autistic people and people with higher autistic traits report more problematic internet use than others. Pooling 46 studies of more than 42,000 people, a meta-analysis found a small to moderate association, with general internet use, gaming and smartphone use counted under a single measure.1 The same review found the opposite for social media use, which autistic people reported less of, so the two results do not add up to a single "more screen time" story.1 Almost every study asked people once, and most looked at children, adolescents and young adults rather than older adults.
Two studies focus on adults. In a survey of 420 adults, higher autistic traits went with more problematic internet and mobile-phone use in regression models, while psychological distress showed the stronger associations and was the consistent predictor of substance use.16 A smaller study of 46 autistic adults and 53 comparison adults found more problematic internet use in the autistic group, and linked it to obsessive-compulsive doubt and to the autism-traits domain of non-verbal communication; the measure of problematic use was a screening item rather than a diagnosis.17
The review's authors offer their own account of the pattern in a companion paper: excessive gaming and video watching reflect social, coping and enhancement motives that narrow interests and difficulty with face-to-face contact make especially prominent in autism, while the pull of online socializing runs lower.18
The research finds a small association with problematic-use scores, in studies that ask people once and mostly look at young people. It does not show that the internet causes the difficulty.
Autistic people say they have more trouble with internet use than other people. A review pooled 46 studies with more than 42,000 people. It found a small link. It counted internet use, gaming and phone use together as one measure.1 The same review found autistic people use social media less, so this is not simply "more screen time".1 Almost every study asked people once, and most were about children and young adults.
Two studies looked at adults. A survey of 420 adults found that people with more autistic traits had more trouble with internet and phone use. Feeling distressed mattered even more.16 A smaller study compared 46 autistic adults with 53 other adults. The autistic group had more trouble with internet use. It went with obsessive doubts and with how they read body language and tone. The measure was a screening question, not a diagnosis.17
The research finds a small link in studies that ask people once. It does not show that the internet causes the problem.
A meta-analysis of 46 studies supports the association. The studies are cross-sectional, mostly of young people, and the pooled measure spans general internet use, gaming and smartphone use. This is an association only, and the direction is unknown.
A pattern of internet use that a person finds hard to control and that causes problems in daily life, measured by questionnaires rather than diagnosed.
A big review of 46 studies supports this. The studies asked people once, and most were about young people. So this is a link only; we do not know which comes first.
Internet use that is hard to control and causes problems, measured with questions rather than diagnosed.
Gambling harm Emerging
Gambling research has barely reached autism. A 2026 systematic review of people experiencing gambling harm found 14 studies, and only 2 of them reported anything about autism; it summarized those two in words rather than pooling them, and said more research is needed before a prevalence figure could be given. The same review could pool ADHD data, finding ADHD in 24% of people experiencing gambling harm against about 2.6% in the general population, though the authors warn that differences between the studies may have inflated the estimate.19 An earlier systematic review found 9 eligible studies out of 343, described the results as mixed, and called the coverage of autism and gambling "a profound lack of research."20
Where autistic traits do appear, the studies use screening questionnaires rather than diagnoses, and they disagree. In 97 people attending a gambling-disorder clinic in Japan, 29.8% screened positive on an autism questionnaire, though higher autism scores went with lower gambling severity.21 In a sample of 102 young adults who gamble, higher autism scores went with more disordered-gambling symptoms even after ADHD symptoms were accounted for.22 In a national survey of 32,000 adults, screening positive on autism traits was associated with problem gambling.23 Two of the three found higher autism scores going with more gambling problems, and the clinic study found the reverse.
No study found as of October 2026 has estimated how common gambling harm is among autistic adults or tested a prevention or treatment program in autistic people.
Gambling research has barely looked at autism. A 2026 review studied people who had been harmed by gambling. It found 14 studies, and only 2 said anything about autism. It could not give a number for autism. It could give a number for ADHD. About 24 out of 100 had ADHD, and about 2.6 out of 100 people in general do. The authors warn the number may be too high.19 An earlier review found only 9 good studies out of 343.20
The studies that do mention autism use screening questions, not a diagnosis. In one clinic in Japan, 97 people with a gambling problem took the test. About 30 out of 100 scored high for autistic traits. But higher scores went with less serious gambling.21 In a study of 102 young adults who gamble, higher autism scores went with more gambling problems.22 In a survey of 32,000 adults, high autism scores went with problem gambling.23 Two of the three studies found one thing, and one found the other.
No study found as of October 2026 has counted how common gambling harm is among autistic adults. None has tested a program to prevent or treat it.
Cross-sectional and clinic studies, several measuring autistic traits rather than diagnosis.
The autism questionnaires used here flag traits, not a confirmed diagnosis. Some people who score high would not meet diagnostic criteria, and some who do meet them score low.
These studies asked people once, and most used a screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis.
The tests used here spot traits, not a diagnosis. Some people who score high would not be diagnosed autistic, and some autistic people score low.
In the community Community
Many autistic writers treat online life as real social life, not a substitute for it. Annie Kotowicz writes that she told a parent to "see the Internet as part of the real world, and treat online friendships as real friendships," and describes her first real group of friends as a forum of fans of a television show.c1 Pete Wharmby says that chatting online with people he has never met "is effective socialising as far as I'm concerned," and asks why sitting in the same room should be the standard for friendship.c2
For some people, online spaces are where the autistic community is found at all. Devon Price writes that "research shows that Autistic people do find meaningful social support through our online friendships."c3 Sol Smith, describing a survey of late-diagnosed autistic adults, reports that the most helpful thing "by far, was the online autistic community."c4
Online spaces are also easier to control than a room full of people. One writer in the collection Someone Like Me describes gaming on Discord with headphones and a volume dial: "I can control myself better on Discord, just sitting in a group call with gamers," adding that the game "is always there to give us a reason and a purpose."c5 Sarah Hendrickx reports that for the autistic women she interviewed, "the Internet appears to offer a space for developing friendships based on interests."c6
Two writers in Our Autistic Lives describe what that connection is worth. Vometia calls social media "a life-saver" that is "immensely useful to people like me who would otherwise be extremely isolated."c7 Pin calls it "an emotional lifeline for those of us who are fortunate enough to have it."c8
Many autistic writers say online life is real life, not a fake version of it. Annie Kotowicz told a parent that online friendships are "real friendships" too.c1 Her first real group of friends was a forum about a TV show. Pete Wharmby says that chatting with people he has never met is "effective socialising" to him.c2
For some people, the autistic community lives online. Devon Price writes that autistic people "do find meaningful social support" in online friendships.c3 Sol Smith says the online autistic community helped late-diagnosed adults most of all.c4
Online places are also easier to control than a room full of people. One writer in Someone Like Me plays games on Discord with headphones and a volume dial.c5 She says she can "control myself better on Discord" in a group call with gamers. The game gives the group "a reason and a purpose," she says. Sarah Hendrickx found the same for the women she talked to. They said the Internet gave them "a space for developing friendships based on interests," without the demands of meeting up.c6
Two writers in Our Autistic Lives say what that connection is worth. Vometia calls social media a "life-saver" for people who would otherwise be very isolated.c7 Pin calls it an "emotional lifeline" too.c8
How autistic writers describe their online lives. Not a research finding.
How autistic writers describe their own online lives. This is not a research finding.
Sources
Research
- 1Muris P, Otgaar H, Donkers F, et al. 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, 2025;28(2):392–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-025-00524-8
- 2Dawson A, Street A, Flower RL. 'For the First Time, I Felt Seen': Understanding What Helps Autistic Emerging Adults Feel Safe and Included on Social Media. Autism, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261489306
- 3Brosnan M, Gavin J. Passive Social Media Use Is Associated with Social Withdrawal ("Hikikomori") Vulnerability in Autistic and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Young Adults. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2026;29(9):677–681. https://doi.org/10.1177/21522715261468861
- 4Trundle G, Jones KA, Ropar D, et al. Prevalence of Victimisation in Autistic Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 2023;24(4):2282–2296. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380221093689
- 5Hu HF, Liu TL, Hsiao RC, et al. Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Correlations with Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2019;49(10):4170–4180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04060-7
- 6Brennan E, Lampinen LA, Paek H, et al. Deconstructing Information About Autism Diagnosis in Adults on TikTok: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Content Analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-07123-0
- 7Tien I, Wolpe S, Huang Y, et al. How Diagnostically Accurate are #Autism Portrayals? A Latent Space Item Response Modeling Approach. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-07164-5
- 8Safran S, Hurwitz S. Online Dating as a Middleman: Autistic Young Adults' Pursuit of Romantic Connection. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07528-5
- 9Gavin J, Rees-Evans D, Brosnan M. Shy Geek, Likes Music, Technology, and Gaming: An Examination of Autistic Males' Online Dating Profiles. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 2019;22(5):344–348. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2018.0607
- 10Brosnan M, Gavin J. The Impact of Stigma, Autism Label and Wording on the Perceived Desirability of the Online Dating Profiles of Men on the Autism Spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2021;51(11):4077–4085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04830-8
- 11Murray A, Mannion A, Chen JL, Leader G. Gaming Disorder in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2022;52(6):2762–2769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05138-x
- 12Slack JD, McTigue B, Mackenzie H, et al. A mediation analysis of Autistic-like traits and gaming motivations on problem gaming symptoms: Are the effects of social and escape motives the same? Addictive Behaviors Reports, 2025;22:100625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100625
- 13Bouder S, McNulty LK, Lee D. Insomnia severity and its association with gaming behavior and perceived health in autistic adults. BMC Psychology, 2025;14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03851-1
- 14Charnock T, Drummond A, Hall LC, Sauer JD. The associations between autistic characteristics and microtransaction spending. Scientific Reports, 2024;14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-64812-z
- 15Black MH, Lilford A, Nguyen V, et al. Gaming in the intervention and support process: A realist evaluation of a gaming-based programme. Autism, 2025;29(7):1688–1699. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251320542
- 16Floris M, Gentili C. Association between Problematic Internet and Mobile Phone Use, autistic traits, and psychological distress among adults: A cross-sectional survey. PLOS Mental Health, 2026;3(6):e0000524. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000524
- 17Carpita B, Nardi B, Parri F, et al. Obsessive-Compulsive Traits and Problematic Internet Use Are Increased Among Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is There a Role of Obsessive Doubts and Communication Impairment? Brain Sciences, 2024;14(12):1170. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121170
- 18Muris P, Otgaar H, Donkers F, et al. 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. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2025;28(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-025-00539-1
- 19Timms-McLean L, Nguyen H, Thomas S, et al. A systematic review of the prevalence of ADHD and autism among those experiencing gambling harm. Addictive Behaviors, 2026;182:108776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108776
- 20Chamberlain SR, Aslan B, Quinn A, et al. Autism and gambling: A systematic review, focusing on neurocognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2023;147:105071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105071
- 21So R, Sato Y, Hashimoto N, Furukawa TA. Prevalence of suspected autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in a Japanese clinical sample with gambling disorder: A cross-sectional study. PCN Reports, 2023;2(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.131
- 22Grant JE, Chamberlain SR. Autistic traits in young adults who gamble. CNS Spectrums, 2021;26(6):637–642. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1092852920001571
- 23Miyahara K, Nagaoka A, Hino M, et al. Associations of neurodevelopmental traits and adverse childhood experiences with problem gambling: A nationwide cross-sectional study. PCN Reports, 2026;5(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.70378
Community sources
- c1Kotowicz A. What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic: Unpuzzling a Life on the Autism Spectrum. Self-published, 2022. Chapter "How I Get Along with People".
- c2Wharmby P. Untypical: How the World Isn't Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About It. Mudlark, 2023. Chapter "Autism and Friends". Pete Wharmby's site
- c3Price D. Unmasking for Life: The Autistic Person's Guide to Connecting, Loving, and Living Authentically. Harmony Books, 2025. Chapter "Accepting Change". Devon Price's site
- c4Smith S. The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery: Flourishing as a Neurodivergent Adult. New World Library, 2025. Chapter 11, "Pass It On". Sol Smith's site
- c5Bastow C, Case J, eds. Someone Like Me. University of Queensland Press, 2025. Chapter "When Everyone Else Has a Conversation" (Anna Whateley and Kate Gordon).
- c6Hendrickx S, Hendrickx J. Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024. Chapter 6, "Social Relationships".
- c7Ratcliffe A, ed. Our Autistic Lives: Personal Accounts from Autistic Adults Around the World Aged 20 to 70+. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019. "Vometia".
- c8Ratcliffe A, ed. Our Autistic Lives: Personal Accounts from Autistic Adults Around the World Aged 20 to 70+. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019. "Pin".