It’s dinnertime. I call a reminder to my little darlings (ages 11 and 14) to wash their hands. We wait. We seek them out. They have earbuds in, and they look up: dazed and confused, their device propped up next to them. “Dinner’s ready!” I enthusiastically smile. They depend on screens for so much of […] The post Screen Time Self-Audit appeared first on Teaching Channel.
It’s dinnertime.
I call a reminder to my little darlings (ages 11 and 14) to wash their hands. We wait.
We seek them out. They have earbuds in, and they look up: dazed and confused, their device propped up next to them. “Dinner’s ready!” I enthusiastically smile. They depend on screens for so much of their life, and they exist in a different world when they are online. They put their devices down and shuffle in the direction of the sink and soap, not unlike zombies. We sit down to eat, and the kids, pupils refocused and free from screens, settle in.
Then there’s our family friend, whose notifications are so constant, it feels like jingle bells sounding all day, every day, all year long. He looks at his phone every few seconds. I find this with many of my friends, who will pick up their phones during a conversation or a story I am sharing. I waste plenty of time on screens, too—according to my phone, I rack up 4-5 hours a day scrolling and reading. My boundary is to put down my phone when I am talking to someone in person, and when my kids seek me out. But please don’t think for a moment I’m not counting the minutes until I can finish that really funny video about the dumb husband with the cat that looks like a Dorito.
How did we get here? When did we determine the human connection was less important than finding the next meme, TikTok, or Facebook reel?
It’s becoming increasingly important to be mindful of our screen time, and a self-audit is an effective way to build awareness of just how much time we’re spending on our devices. Although our phones calculate our screen time, this kind of reflection not only helps us understand our need for screens but also highlights the importance of taking breaks and spending time away from them for our overall well-being.
Keep this self-audit activity on hand for easy access, sharing, and reflection whenever screens start to run the show!
About the Author
Betsy Butler (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in English, a Master’s in Education, and has been teaching since 1992. Betsy uses her three decades of teaching experience to write and revise our courses while selecting the perfect accompanying texts. Her specialty areas include ELA, special education topics, behavior management, and mental health.
Fun Fact: Betsy’s daily conquest is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle!
The post Screen Time Self-Audit appeared first on Teaching Channel.
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