Screen use is playing a growing role in the daily lives of Montreal adults, according to a new survey from the city’s Regional Public Health Department and Concordia University.
The survey, conducted among 4,000 adults, shows a 15 per cent increase since 2018 in the number of people spending more than two hours a day on screen-based leisure activities.
Nearly one-quarter of respondents, 23 per cent, reported spending more than four hours a day in front of a screen. The trend is particularly strong among young adults aged 18 to 24, where 39 per cent fall into that category, as well as adults aged 65 and over, at 30 per cent.
Public health officials say intensive screen use is linked to lower levels of physical activity, raising concerns about long-term impacts on physical and mental health.
Still, perceptions of screen time are mixed. While 18 per cent of respondents said their digital habits have primarily negative effects on their well-being, a much larger share, 44 per cent, believe screen use has a positive impact on their quality of life.
