FAQ
Stuff people actually ask.
Real questions. Honest answers. If we don't know, we say so.
The basics
What is this? +
Free tests on phone and social media compulsion that use the actual instruments researchers built. Plus a feature that reads your real platform data so you can see what the apps have on you.
Why is it free? +
Because we think people deserve to see what these apps are doing to them without paying for the privilege. No upsell, no premium tier, no 'share to friends to unlock.'
Is it legal? How is the data even mine? +
Yes, and by design. GDPR (Europe) and the CCPA (California) require platforms to give you a copy of your data when you ask. The rest of the U.S. mostly follows because companies find it easier to comply globally.
Will the apps know I ran my data through you? +
They know YOU requested your data — that's the legal mechanism. They don't know what you do with the file after. Not their business.
The tests
Are the tests legit? +
Yes. Each one is a published, validated instrument — BSMAS, SAS-SV, NMP-Q, SMDS — used in peer-reviewed research. The questions are the published items. The cutoffs are from the original papers. Citations on every result page.
Is the result a diagnosis? +
No. There is no DSM diagnosis for 'social media addiction' or 'phone addiction.' These are research constructs. The tests detect patterns. They are not clinical determinations.
Why do you ask for gender on one of the tests? +
The SAS-SV (smartphone addiction) has published cutoffs that differ by gender — 31 for men, 33 for women. We use whichever you pick. It's a calibration thing, not a politics thing.
Privacy
What do you actually read from my file? +
Only the activity logs — small JSON files inside the ZIP that record things like 'opened app at 02:14:33, scrolled for 12 minutes.' Photos, videos, message contents, your profile, your contacts — never extracted.
How long do you keep my file? +
The raw ZIP is deleted within 48 hours of successful processing. We keep only the aggregate numbers that make up your report.
Do humans read my data? +
No. The processing is fully automated. Nobody at Social Breathalyzer reads what you've posted, watched, or DM'd.
Can I delete everything? +
Yes. Every email has a one-click delete link. Erases your record from our database immediately.
If you're worried
I took the test and scored bad. What do I do? +
First: feeling unsettled is a normal reaction. Almost everyone underestimates their use by 30–60%. The score is a starting line, not a verdict. Then: read 'How to reduce screen time' on the Learn page. If you're consistently struggling with sleep, mood, or functioning, talk to a clinician. You don't have to wait for it to be 'bad enough.'
I'm a parent. My kid scored bad. What now? +
Read the parent's guide on the Learn page. Unilateral phone confiscation backfires almost universally. What works: delay, environment changes, and a relationship where they actually tell you when something happens. Most important single change: phone out of the bedroom at night.
In a crisis? +
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US). 24/7.