1. A method comprising: at a client device with one or more processors and non-transitory memory: determining, by the client device, a first perceptual characterization metric, wherein the first perceptual characterization metric provides a corresponding quantitative characterization of factors that determine quality of experience associated with a first playback profile of media content presented by the client device, and wherein the first perceptual characterization metric is a function of a first set of perceptual characterization indicator values that include perception metrics characterizing performance associated with at least one of a plurality of performance criteria; normalizing, by the client device, the first perceptual characterization metric based on one or more client device characterization factors associated with the client device; obtaining, by the client device, an aggregate perceptual characterization metric, wherein the aggregate perceptual characterization metric is based at least in part on the normalized perceptual characterization metric from the client device and one or more other perceptual characterization metrics from one or more other client devices sharing at least one network resource with the client device; and determining, by the client device, whether to change the first playback profile based on a function of the first normalized perceptual characterization metric and the aggregate perceptual characterization metric.