Screen Time and the Developing Brain: Research, Benefits, Risks, and Policy

Board Director, Brain Canada Foundation

Dr. Vaccarino is Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph and former President and Vice Chancellor. He’s held senior leadership roles at the University of Toronto and CAMH. Widely recognized for his contributions to mental health, brain health, education, and policy, he is a strong advocate for student mental well-being and community-centred research.

Professor, Psychiatry and Canada Research Chair, Preventative Mental Health and Addiction; Research Chair in Social and Community Pediatrics, Université de Montréal / CHU Sainte-Justine

Dr. Conrod is a Clinical Psychologist whose work explores cognitive, personality, and biological risk factors in the development of substance use and co-occurring mental disorders. She co-directs Centre IMAGINE and co-leads a Brain Canada-funded initiative on disrupted brain development. She is also the incoming Scientific Director of CIHR’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction.

Associate Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. De Choudhury is a pioneer in computational social science and digital mental health. Her research uses social media data to enable early detection and intervention strategies for mental health concerns. She’s been recognized with the SIGCHI Societal Impact Award and regularly advises institutions like the U.S. Surgeon General, White House OSTP, and the WHO.

Professor, Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy, Department of Art History and Communication Studies, McGill University

Dr. Grimes focuses on children’s digital media cultures and rights, especially around games and play. She founded a research lab focused on the technologization of childhood, and her award-winning book Digital Playgrounds explores politics and ethics in children’s online environments. Her work aims to create safer, more equitable digital spaces for youth.

Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Neuroscience and Learning Disorders – Applied Psychology, Western University

Dr. Duerden studies how early life stress—including excessive screen use—affects child brain development and learning. Using neuroimaging, her research identifies risk factors and resilience pathways in children. She leads a Brain Canada-funded platform that’s advancing non-invasive brain monitoring tools.

Paediatrician, Child and Parent Resource Institute, London ON

Dr. Ponti works with children who have complex developmental and behavioural needs. She chairs the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Digital Health Task Force and contributed to national screen time guidelines for children 0–5. Her research looks at the health effects of digital and social media on school-aged children and teens.

Student, University of Calgary

Vidhi is a mental health advocate and undergraduate student soon pursuing a Master’s in epidemiology at McGill. She’s also an illustrator for mental health awareness projects and serves as EDI Director in her faculty. Her work toward SDG 3 (good health and well-being) has been recognized by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.