Smat Score
SMAT Score employs two scores to guide users to a more healthy and safe social media experience. Imagine your phone without a battery indicator or an analog watch without the minute hand – this is our current state of social media consumption without SMAT. Social media use is too important to not be measured. SMAT Score measures the extent of social media use and alerts us of overindulgence and the likelihood of misinformation dissemination.
OUR VISION We are committed to safeguarding the mental health well-being, of individuals and society from the misuse and abuse of social media platforms, by fostering awareness of overuse and verification of truth.
Instructional video
Frequently asked questions
If you have anything else you want to ask, reach out to us.
What is Engagement Score?
With a growing body of research confirming the link between social media overuse and mental health issues, the engagement score objectively measures minutes/day of social media apps usage.
The Engagement Score and its related status is based on the following:
- As of 2022 the average daily social media usage is 147 mins/day, with teens spending an average of 180 mins/day.
- A 2018 University of Pennsylvania study found reducing social media use to 30 mins a day resulted in a significant reduction in levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, sleep problems, and FOMO.
- Expert guidance that 120 mins/day is the recommended limit for total screen time (socials + other apps)
The purpose of the score, like a scale to a dieter or BPM to the hypertensive is a guide/warning that overuse or abuse is likely.
To improve your score and your mental well being consider the following:
- Place time limits on the most used social media apps.
- Initiate a Digital Detox – social media disengagement.
- Turn off social media notifications.
- Adopt designated social media engagement time/schedule.
What is Veracity Score?
Social media companies continue to face criticism for not doing enough to curtail the spread of misleading information and fake news on their platforms.
The News Veracity Score and its related status is based on the following:
- Approximately 71% of people now get at least some of their news from social media platforms. (Pew Research)
- In Q3 of 2020, there were 1.8 billion fake news engagements on Facebook.
- As people make political, social and health decisions based on the information shared/exchanged on Facebook and Twitter, reliability and accuracy become paramount.
The Veracity score indicates what % of your news is verified vs unverified. A low score suggests your news consumption is most likely commentary rather than news, misleading rather than truthful and fake not factual.
To improve your score and your reliance on factual information consider the following:
- If the news is salacious, inflammatory or aligned to your opinion, verify before sharing.
- Install a few traditional news apps and source/verify news from them regularly.