Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41385125›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2025

An Exploratory Study of Internet Use and Safety Concerns for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Anthony Osuna, Micah Pepper, Fallon Zollars, Sharon Kiche, John Wennberg, Bianca Rodriguez, Tumaini R Coker, Dimitri Christakis, Frederick Shic, Karen Bearss

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Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Anthony OsunaDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. AOsuna@UW.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2462-5147
Micah PepperSeattle Children's Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center, Bothell, WA, USA.
Fallon ZollarsCenter for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1920 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
Sharon KicheDepartment of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
John WennbergSeattle Children's Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center, Bothell, WA, USA.
Bianca RodriguezSeattle Children's Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center, Bothell, WA, USA.
Tumaini R CokerJohn A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Dimitri ChristakisDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Frederick ShicDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Karen BearssCatalight, Walnut Creek, CA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study explores internet use patterns, safety challenges, and support needs among intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) adults, with the goal of informing the redesign of an internet safety intervention program.

methodsA mixed methods study was conducted with 38 participants, including 17 IDD adults and 21 family caregivers (referred to as 'caregivers'), affiliated with a community-based organization. Participants completed surveys assessing digital behavior, challenges, and support needs. A subsample of 22 participants engaged in semi-structured interviews to provide in-depth perspectives. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis.

resultsIDD adults demonstrated active digital engagement across multiple platforms for social connection, learning, and entertainment. Participants revealed that IDD adults face challenges related to interpreting social cues, avoiding scams, and managing digital boundaries. Survey results show that challenges like knowing who to trust online was a concern for 82% of self-reporters and 76% of caregivers. Four themes were identified: internet use, online challenges, strategies, and recommendations. Caregivers often served as digital gatekeepers but reported limited access to resources and training. Study participants emphasized the need for practical, adaptable tools that align with evolving technology and individualized support needs.

conclusionThese findings highlight the need for accessible, stakeholder-informed interventions that address foundational digital literacy and emerging online risks. Results will inform the redesign of the Socialization, Education, and Learning for the Internet program and contribute to broader efforts to enhance digital safety, autonomy, and inclusion for IDD adults.

Indexed as

Digital literacyIntellectual and developmental disabilitiesInternet safety

Identifiers

PMID41385125

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.