Symptom Tests for Adults

[Self-Test] Screen and Phone Addiction Screener

Answer these questions to see if you show signs of screen addiction and explore how you can cultivate healthier screen habits.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Updated on January 9, 2025
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The average American checks their phone 205 times a day — about once every five minutes during waking hours.1 Nearly 45% of people report experiencing phone addiction, and about 40% of people feel panic or anxiety when their phone battery goes below 20%.

Smartphones and, by extension, social media consume more of our time and attention than most of us realize. This isn’t accidental; devices and apps are designed to keep us hooked. It’s why many of us experience “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and other negative feelings when we’re not connected — all signs of unhealthy screen use. For people with ADHD, the risk of developing unhealthy digital habits may be even greater due impulsivity, altered reward processing, and difficulty with boredom.

Answer these questions to see how your digital habits measure up and how you can cultivate healthier screen habits.

I spend more time on my smartphone, computer, or device than I want to each day.

I am often distracted by notifications on my smartphone, computer, or other devices.

I check my phone compulsively, often without thinking — it feels automatic.

I worry about what I’m missing if I don’t check my smartphone or social media accounts.

I become irritable, anxious, or sad when I don’t have access to my devices or can’t check social media.

I am unhappy with my social media presence.

I use social media as a substitute for real-life social interactions.

After I go on social media, I often feel inadequate or disappointed with my life.

It is difficult for me to resist looking at my device(s) when I’m doing other things, like working, studying, spending time with others, walking, or driving.

I am a passive social media user; I lurk without much interaction, mindlessly scroll, and seldom post.

Can’t see the self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.

The questions in this resource were derived from ADDitude’s ADHD Experts webinar titled, “The Journey to Independence: A Parent’s Guide to Delayed Adulthood with ADHD” [Video Replay & Podcast #503] with Anthony Rostain, M.D., M.A., which was broadcast on May 1, 2024.

Screen Addiction and ADHD: Next Steps

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View Article Sources

1 Wheelwright, T. (2024, Dec. 16). Cell Phone Usage Stats 2024: Americans Check Their Phones 205 Times a Day. https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/