Create a Screen Time Diary for Unplugging to Connect

When scientists want to make something better or help to improve the world, they start by gathering information. Think of the scientist in her laboratory write notes about an experiment. She begins by learning as much as she can and recording her data. Data is just information with a structure. In this activity, you’ll become a scientist of sorts and gather information about how you spend time using screen devices in your house. For families that want to spend less time on their phones, this can be an important first step. You might have a feeling about how you use your devices, but if you wrote a little about your screen time each day, what might you learn? Try this for several days and find out.

Begin by choosing the appropriate grade level for the child or children in your family:

• K – 2nd
• 3rd – 5th
• 6th – 8th

What You Will Need

• Activity sheet (which you can find here)
• Printer OR computer, tablet, or smartphone

Activity

1. Parents or guardians, print one copy of the diary activity sheet for each family member, or use the activity sheet online by typing your answers in the blanks.
2. To get started, ask your child to think about how they have used on-screen technology in the last 24 hours.
3. Help your child answer each question in the activity sheet.
4. After you’ve completed the activity sheet for one day, review the answers together.
5. You can repeat this activity every day. After one week, share what you’ve learned.

Talk About It

Here are some things your family can talk about:

• What did you learn about yourself?
• Is there anything you want to change or do differently?
• If you’ve done this activity for more than a few days, did you notice anything change since the day you started?

What You Will Need

• Activity sheet (which you can find here)
• Printer OR computer, tablet, or smartphone

Activity

1. Print one copy of the diary activity sheet for each family member, or use the activity sheet online by typing your answers in the blanks.
2. To get started, think about how you have used on-screen technology in the last 24 hours.
3. Answer each question in the activity sheet.
4. After you’ve completed the activity sheet for one day, share your answers with your family.
5. You can repeat this activity every day. After one week, share what you’ve learned.

Talk About It

Here are some things your family can talk about as you play this game:

• What did you learn about yourself?
• Is there anything you want to change or do differently?
• If you’ve done this activity for more than a few days, did you notice anything change since the day you started?

What You Will Need

• Activity sheet (which you can find here)
• Printer OR computer, tablet, or smartphone

Activity

1. Print one copy of the diary activity sheet for each family member, or use the activity sheet online by typing your answers in the blanks.
2. To get started, think about how you have used on-screen technology in the last 24 hours.
3. Answer each question in the activity sheet.
4. After you’ve completed the activity sheet for one day, share your answers with your family.
5. You can repeat this activity every day. After one week, share what you’ve learned.

Talk About It

Here are some things your family can talk about as you play this game:

• What did you learn about yourself?
• Is there anything you want to change or do differently?
• If you’ve done this activity for more than a few days, did you notice anything change since the day you started?

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