Is your child getting too much screen time?
Take this simple 10 question quiz and find out. Give a score to each question using the following ratings:
0 = Never or rarely true
1 = Occasionally true
2 = Usually true
3 = Always true
____Your child is upset when you ask him to stop his screen activity to come to dinner or another activity.
____Your child asks you to buy a digital device such as an iPod after you have already said no.
____Your child has trouble completing his homework because he is busy watching television or playing video games.
____Your child refuses to help with chores around the house, choosing instead to play with screens.
___ Your child asks you to play a video game or other screen related activity after you have said no.
____Your child does not get 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
____Your child does not give frequent eye contact to others in the home.
____Your child would rather play video games than go outside to play with friends.
____Your child doesn’t really enjoy anything that does not involve screens.
____ If you restricted all screen use for one day, your child would be irritable and whiny.
If your child scores:
10 or below: Your child does not appear to have too much screen time. He seems able to exercise appropriate control and boundaries.
11-20: Your child may be depending on screen time too much. You will want to monitor screen time more judiciously and watch for growing reliance upon screens.
21-30: Your child may be addicted to screens. You may want to meet with a counselor, pastor, or parent that you respect for advice.
Did you score higher or lower than you thought on the quiz?
