Table 3 Definitions of qualitative themes

1

Living life through a screen in lockdown

This theme explores an unavoidable increased use in screen-viewing behaviour during periods of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Unable to leave the home for large periods of the day, many aspects of parent’s and children’s lives transitioned to screen-based activities. Notably, screen-viewing activities became the medium for entertainment, socialising, education, forms of physical activity, and childcare

2

Losing children to screens

A sense of increased post-lockdown screen-viewing behaviour among children was suggested in the data. What children and parents described as ‘addiction’, stemming from increased exposure during lockdown and periods of restrictions, drew children away from activities they previously enjoyed, such as active play. However, whether this was in part also due to age-related and/or societal changes was also noted by parents

3

Parents as the antidote to screen addiction

This theme reflects the importance of the parent and their role in their child’s screen-viewing behaviour. Without limitations set by the parent, children were unable to regulate their own screen-viewing behaviour. Supporting their child’s participation in activities outside of the home constituted another way in which parents were able to break habitualised screen-viewing within the home. Yet, this required significant prioritisation due to its associated financial and time costs that not all parents and families were able to support