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IS YOUR KID’S SCREEN TIME A PROBLEM?


GUT CHECK: HOW WORRIED ARE YOU?

Not at all




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By Heather Kelly and 
Garland Potts
Aug. 23, 2024 at 6:05 a.m.

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In the last year, lawmakers across the United States have debated the impact of
technology on children. Government officials have proposed limiting access to
smartphones in schools, adding warning labels to social media, and new federal
laws that could push tech companies to add stricter content and parent controls.

But the ultimate responsibility for making sure children have healthy
relationships with screens continues to fall to parents and caregivers.

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Where do you start? The Help Desk created this quiz based on interviews and
guidance from experts who study tech and children, and health specialists,
including at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Answer these seven
questions and we’ll give you personalized advice on how to manage your child’s
screen time.

In this quiz, screen time refers to any recreational use of devices like
televisions, game consoles, phones and tablets that is not for school work.

QUESTION 1 OF 7


HOW OLD IS YOUR CHILD?

0 years
18 years


SELECT AN AGE

QUESTION 2 OF 7


ABOUT HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK IS YOUR CHILD ON A SCREEN?


0-2

3-8

9-21

22-49

50-168
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QUESTION 3 OF 7


IS YOUR CHILD DEALING WITH ANY OF THESE BEHAVIORS?

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY


Struggles to get off screens (can’t stop or has meltdowns)

Does poorly in school

Has trouble making and keeping friends

Doesn’t spent enough time outdoors or being physically active

Doesn’t interact with family members

Has depression, body image issues or other mental health struggles

Other

None


QUESTION 4 OF 7


WHAT ARE TYPICAL SCREEN TIME RULES FOR YOUR CHILDREN?


They access screens whenever they want

They have a set amount of time or conditions when they can use screens

They only use screens on special or rare occasions

They never use screens

Other
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QUESTION 5 OF 7


WHAT CONTENT CONTROLS DO YOU USE?

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY


Manual spot checks of their devices

Content filters to block certain sites and apps

Software that monitors all activity and flags issues

Regular conversations about what’s acceptable

I think they’re too young for controls

None


QUESTION 6 OF 7


WHEN DO THEY USUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO DEVICES?

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY


At night

Alone in their rooms

During meals

At school

With friends

When they’re bored or stressed

Other times
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QUESTION 7 OF 7


HOW DO THEY USE THEIR DEVICES?

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY


To play video games

To talk to friends or family

To scroll social media or YouTube

To watch shows or movies

To create art, videos or code

I don’t know what they do

Other

You need to answer every question to see your result.

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ABOUT THIS STORY

Contributing insights for this quiz came from Jenny Radesky, associate professor
at the University of Michigan and co-medical director of the American Academy of
Pediatrics’ National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental
Health; Lisa Damour, psychologist and author of “The Emotional Lives of
Teenagers”; and Jill Murphy, chief content officer at Common Sense Media.
Guidance from the CDC was also used.

Illustrations by Allie Sullberg. Art direction by Elena Lacey. Editing by Karly
Domb Sadof, Yun-Hee Kim and Junne Alcantara. Copy editing by Grant Johnson.
Cristiano Lima contributed reporting.

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22 Comments
Heather KellyHeather Kelly is a San Francisco-based reporter covering the ways
technology affects everyday life. @heatherkelly
Garland PottsGarland Potts is a designer at The Washington Post.


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