Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare apps that does exactly what it says with zero nonsense. Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence built a tool to help people understand and regulate emotions, and it works.

The Mood Meter grid is elegant—you plot where you are on axes of pleasantness and energy, then either 'stay' with that feeling or 'shift' using evidence-based strategies. Over time, you see patterns between your mood and sleep, exercise, health. It's like a Fitbit for feelings.

The privacy model is refreshingly clean: data lives on your device unless you choose otherwise, and the whole thing is nonprofit. No ads, no manipulation, no creepy monetization. The friends feature is opt-in and controlled, not a social media free-for-all.

Is it going to blow your mind with creativity? No. It's a focused tool for emotional regulation, not an open-ended playground. But for tweens, teens, and adults working on self-awareness and mental wellness, it's genuinely useful. The skill of naming and navigating emotions is foundational for everything else—relationships, stress management, decision-making. This app teaches that skill without drama or gimmicks.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10+ who have the metacognitive capacity to reflect on their emotional states. Younger kids may need parent guidance to use it meaningfully. Genuinely useful for teens and adults too—emotional intelligence doesn't have an expiration date.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Built by Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence to help users identify and navigate emotions in healthy, constructive ways. The 'shift' feature offers positive strategies rather than dwelling on negative states. The friends feature encourages authentic emotional sharing with trusted people, modeling vulnerability and connection. No chaotic pacing, no manipulation—just calm, thoughtful emotional work.

Imaginative

68

The Mood Meter grid itself is an elegant, creative tool for mapping emotional states across pleasantness and energy dimensions. However, the app is more about self-reflection and regulation than open-ended creative expression. The built-in inspirational content is reportedly limited. It invites curiosity about one's own emotional patterns but doesn't offer much room for building or exploring beyond that framework.

Safe

88

Free, nonprofit model with transparent data privacy—data stays on device unless you opt to share or contribute to research. No ads, no aggressive monetization. The friends feature requires deliberate sharing with trusted contacts, not open social networking. Common Sense Media notes it's appropriate for kids to record emotional states without concerning content. Only minor concern: limited moderation details for the friends feature, though it appears to be opt-in and controlled.

Enriching

91

This is emotional intelligence training in app form, based on Dr. Marc Brackett's research. Users build vocabulary for emotions, spot patterns between mood and sleep/exercise/health, and access evidence-based regulation strategies (cognitive reframing, movement, mindfulness, social connection). The skill of naming and navigating emotions is foundational for relationships, stress management, and mental health. Genuinely useful life skill-building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches the crucial skill of emotional vocabulary—moving beyond 'fine' or 'whatever' to actually understanding what's happening inside
Tracks patterns between mood and sleep/exercise/health, helping kids (and adults) see connections they'd otherwise miss
One-minute video strategies for shifting mood are practical and evidence-based, not just inspirational fluff
Privacy-first nonprofit model means no ads, no data mining, no manipulation—refreshingly clean
Friends feature lets teens share emotional states with trusted people in real time, which can be genuinely connecting (or a lifeline during rough patches)

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What to Watch For

This is a tool for self-awareness, not a crisis intervention app—if your kid is struggling with serious mental health issues, they need professional support, not just an app
Some kids may find the daily check-ins feel like homework rather than helpful, especially if they're not naturally introspective
The built-in inspirational content is limited, so after a while the 'shift' suggestions may feel repetitive

Conversation Starters

"What emotions have you been tracking this week? Any patterns you've noticed?"
"When you're in the red zone (high energy, unpleasant feelings), what strategies actually help you shift?"
"Do you think having words for your emotions makes them easier or harder to deal with?"
"Would you ever use the friends feature to share how you're feeling with me or someone else? What would make that feel safe?"

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