ASMR Can Be Soothing, But Should Kids Watch Them?

ASMR videos have grown in popularity a lot, with different kinds of formats like make-up ASMR, food ASMR etc. People share how watching these ASMR videos bring them a sense of peace and helps them sleep at times as well. These videos are popular among all age groups, whether it is young adults, older people or even young kids!

What Is ASMR?

It stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. Basically, some people get a tingly, relaxing feeling when they see or hear certain things. These feelings, sometimes called "tingles," often start on the head and go down the neck and spine. ASMR videos try to create these feelings with things like whispering, soft talking, tapping sounds, and gentle hand motions. Lots of people enjoy ASMR, but not everyone experiences it. Scientists think only about 20% of people get the "tingles."

Can kids watch it?

But is it appropriate for a kid to watch, do they even need it?

One of the best things ASMRs are used for is it calms down sensory overload! With people being more aware and sensitized to these things, they understand and equip themselves with things that will help their kids avoid sensory overload, it is a feeling when you get overwhelmed with the things around them, whether it is sound or too many textures etc. And using ASMR usually does the trick! Whether ASMR videos are good for kids is a tricky question. Some ASMR videos are totally fine, like videos of someone cutting up colorful sand. But other videos might have stuff that's not appropriate for children. Some might have hidden sexual messages, and others might show people eating huge amounts of unhealthy food. So, it's really important for parents to check out any ASMR videos before letting their kids watch them.

Is ASMR Worrisome?

Even if the videos are okay, parents should still think about screen time. Experts say that watching ASMR videos counts as screen time, just like watching cartoons or playing video games. Kids can easily get sucked into watching lots of these videos because they often play one after another automatically. Parents should make sure kids aren't spending too much time watching ASMR videos and set limits on screen time.

Even though there are some concerns, ASMR videos can also have some good points. It is said that the gentle sounds and repeated actions in ASMR videos can help kids relax. It's like a gentle massage for their brains. Some studies suggest that ASMR can help adults feel less stressed, and it might help kids too. It can also be a way for kids to learn how to calm themselves down. Other good things might be better moods, easier sleep, and even better focus.

Research published in PeerJ 2015 showed that ASMR shows temporary relief in symptoms of depression and chronic pain, it also helps kids who have trouble falling asleep and relax. Exp Brain Res. 2022. showed that it also boosts kids cognitive performance, proving why ASMRs are good for children, but needs to be moderated.

Tips for Kids and ASMR

Parents get to decide if their kids can watch ASMR videos. Doctors say it depends on what your family believes is right and how old your child is. It's a good idea to talk to your kids about why they like ASMR. This can help you understand what they need. It's also a good idea for parents to watch the ASMR videos their kids like so they know what's in them. It's important not to let kids rely on ASMR videos for everything. Doctors also say that they need to learn other ways to deal with stress, like playing, drawing, or writing.