Quiz: Media Balance and Spotting Imbalance
Test what you learned in this chapter. Read each question, pick the best answer, then click Show Answer to see if you got it right.
1. What is screen time?
- The total amount of time you spend looking at a screen in a day
- A special app that blocks all videos
- A kind of notification that rings at bedtime
- The number of apps on your tablet
Show Answer
The correct answer is A. Screen time is the total amount of time you spend looking at a screen in a day. Most devices keep track of this number for you. Screen time is not a grade or a reason to feel bad — it is just information that helps you make choices.
Concept Tested: Screen Time
2. Which of these is an example of a heart activity?
- Looking up how a volcano works
- Video-calling your grandma who lives far away
- Following along with a yoga video
- Reading a paper book quietly
Show Answer
The correct answer is B. A heart activity is an online activity that connects you to people you love or care about. Video-calling your grandma fits that description. Looking up facts is a brain activity, and a yoga video is a body activity. Reading a paper book is not an online activity at all.
Concept Tested: Heart Activity
3. What does the word "notification" mean?
- A cable that charges a tablet
- A game you play before bed
- A small alert from an app that grabs your attention
- A paper note from your teacher
Show Answer
The correct answer is C. A notification is a small alert from an app that pops up to get your attention. It might be a sound, a buzz, a red dot, or a bubble of words. Some notifications are helpful, but many just try to pull you back to the screen.
Concept Tested: Notification
4. What is doomscrolling?
- Swiping through posts and videos on and on even when it does not feel good
- A fast kind of typing on a tablet
- Turning on a phone for the first time
- A math game you play at school
Show Answer
The correct answer is A. Doomscrolling is when you keep swiping through post after post or video after video without choosing to stop, even though it is not making you happy. Your thumb keeps moving but your face stops smiling. It can sneak up on kids and grown-ups alike.
Concept Tested: Doomscrolling
5. What is the difference between active and passive screen use?
- Active use means the device is on, and passive means it is off
- Active use means making choices and creating, while passive means just watching
- They mean the exact same thing
- Active use is only done at school
Show Answer
The correct answer is B. Active use means you are typing, drawing, talking, asking, or creating. Passive use means you are just watching whatever shows up next. Active use isn't always good and passive use isn't always bad, but a lot of passive use in a row often leads to imbalance.
Concept Tested: Active vs Passive Use
6. Why does the chapter call media balance a "healthy mix"?
- Because it is a recipe for a smoothie
- Because it measures how many apps you have
- Because it mixes screen time, not-screen time, and different kinds of activities in a way your body and brain feel good about
- Because it means only using one kind of app all day
Show Answer
The correct answer is C. Media balance is the healthy mix of screen time and not-screen time that helps your heart, brain, and body all feel good. A balanced day often includes one heart activity, one brain activity, one body activity, and plenty of time off screens.
Concept Tested: Media Balance
7. Which of these is a warning sign that your tech use is out of balance?
- Drinking a glass of water
- Laughing with a friend at recess
- Feeling grumpy for no clear reason after hours of passive screen use
- Eating breakfast before school
Show Answer
The correct answer is C. A grumpy mood with no clear cause is one of the four warning signs of media imbalance, along with skipped meals, skipped play, and tired eyes. When you notice even one of these signs, it is a good moment to put the screen down and do something else.
Concept Tested: Media Imbalance
8. Liam has been watching videos for two hours. His eyes feel dry and blurry. What should he do next?
- Keep watching until he reaches a nice stopping point hours later
- Close his eyes tight and keep scrolling
- Turn the screen brightness all the way up
- Look away from the screen and take a break for his eyes
Show Answer
The correct answer is D. Dry, blurry eyes are a sign of eye strain — tired eyes from looking at a screen too long. The fix is to look away. Eye doctors teach the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Concept Tested: Eye Strain
9. Emma is about to start a new activity on her tablet. How can she use activity sorting?
- Ask herself if it is a heart, brain, or body activity, and whether she is being active or passive
- Count how many apps are on the home screen
- Race through the activity as fast as she can
- Turn the tablet upside down before she starts
Show Answer
The correct answer is A. Activity sorting is the habit of pausing for one second and asking two questions: Is this a heart, brain, or body activity? Am I being active or passive? Those two questions help you see what your screen time is really doing for you and choose on purpose.
Concept Tested: Activity Sorting
10. Jordan looks up from his screen and realizes he missed lunch, his eyes hurt, and he feels snappy. What is most likely going on?
- His tablet is broken
- Several warning signs of media imbalance are showing up at once
- His wifi is too fast
- He needs to watch one more video
Show Answer
The correct answer is B. A skipped meal, tired eyes, and a grumpy mood are three of the big warning signs of media imbalance. When three or four show up at once, your body is shouting at you. The smart move is to put the screen down, take care of your body, and tell a trusted adult if you can't seem to stop on your own.
Concept Tested: Media Imbalance