Perceived Harms

Caregivers reported behavioural, emotional, social, physical and developmental concerns from screen use. Behavioural concerns included aggression, tantrums, crying, defiance and imitation of violent scenes. Screen-based feeding sometimes created meal-related dependency. Some caregivers worried that screen use reduced children’s peer engagement and physical activity. Caregivers linked screen use to reduced imagination, reduced creativity and lack of interest in books.