Digital Detox Program Developer interview scorecard
Evaluate Digital Detox Program Developer candidates across 4 weighted areas: subject and technical command, how they actually teach, group management and safeguarding, and progress and communication. Subject and technical command leads at 30%, so check their grounding in behaviour change models (COM-B, habit loops), screen time research, and tools like Screen. Use the rubric to compare role-specific evidence consistently.
education coachingbehaviour changecurriculum designdigital wellbeingscreen time reduction
TL;DR
For subject and technical command, look for evidence the candidate cites specific behavioural frameworks and evidence on problematic smartphone use, and distinguishes dependency patterns from ordinary heavy device use. For how they actually teach, look for evidence the candidate walks through a real program agenda hour by hour, naming activities, facilitation prompts, and what they changed after cohort one.
Apply the written 1–5 anchors to every answer, record the evidence behind each rating, and use the factor weights to reach a consistent overall assessment.
Complete evaluation framework
What to assess and how to score it
Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Subject and technical command
30% weight
Check their grounding in behaviour change models (COM-B, habit loops), screen time research, and tools like Screen Time, RescueTime or Digital Wellbeing dashboards they build curricula around.
Evidence to listen for
Knows the material or discipline well beyond the level they teach
Holds the qualifications, licences, or certifications required, and they are current
Can answer an unexpected question honestly rather than bluffing
Keeps learning in their own field
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Knowledge barely ahead of the learners; bluffs when asked something unexpected.
2
Needs Improvement
Adequate on the syllabus only; gaps show under questioning.
3
Satisfactory
Solid command of the material for the level taught.
4
Very Good
Depth well beyond the taught level; comfortable being asked anything.
5
Excellent
Cites specific behavioural frameworks and evidence on problematic smartphone use, and distinguishes dependency patterns from ordinary heavy device use.
02
Evaluation factor
How they actually teach
30% weight
Probe how they structure a multi week detox: onboarding baselines, device handover rules, offline activity blocks, relapse planning, and how sessions differ for teens versus corporate cohorts.
Evidence to listen for
Describes how they teach a specific thing, not their philosophy of teaching
Adapts when the first explanation does not land
Checks understanding rather than assuming it
Differentiates for varying ability within one group
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Only philosophy, no method; one explanation and no plan B.
2
Needs Improvement
Delivers content but cannot adapt when learners are lost.
3
Satisfactory
Sound instruction; differentiation is limited.
4
Very Good
Multiple routes to the same concept, with real checks for understanding.
5
Excellent
Walks through a real program agenda hour by hour, naming activities, facilitation prompts, and what they changed after cohort one.
03
Evaluation factor
Group management and safeguarding
25% weight
Assess handling of withdrawal distress, disclosure of gaming or porn compulsion, and their safeguarding referral route; ask about consent, phone confiscation policy, and duty of care with minors.
Evidence to listen for
Has a concrete approach to a disruptive individual and a whole group losing focus
Knows the safeguarding or duty-of-care obligations for this age group and setting
Escalates a concern through the right channel
Sets boundaries without becoming punitive
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No behaviour strategy; unaware of safeguarding obligations.
2
Needs Improvement
Struggles with disruption; vague on duty of care.
3
Satisfactory
Manages a normal group; less confident with serious disruption.
4
Very Good
Confident group management with clear safeguarding awareness.
5
Excellent
Names a written safeguarding policy, escalation to clinical support, and describes de-escalating a participant who demanded their device back.
04
Evaluation factor
Progress and communication
15% weight
Look for how they measure outcomes: pre and post screen time pulls, sleep or wellbeing scales, follow up at 30 and 90 days, and reporting to parents or HR sponsors.
Evidence to listen for
Measures whether learners actually improved, not just attended
Gives feedback that changes what someone does next
Communicates with parents, clients, or managers about difficult progress honestly
Records progress usefully
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No sense of whether anyone improved.
2
Needs Improvement
Tracks attendance rather than progress; avoids hard conversations.
3
Satisfactory
Monitors progress; feedback is general.
4
Very Good
Measures progress concretely and handles difficult conversations well.
5
Excellent
Quotes retained behaviour change data with sample sizes, and explains honestly where effects faded after participants returned home.
Evidence-led prompts
Interview questions for a Digital Detox Program Developer
Use these prompts to surface evidence for the weighted factors above and compare candidates against the same role-specific criteria.
01
Can you describe your experience with digital wellbeing programmes?
02
Can you share results from programmes you have developed?
03
Which age groups do you design for, and why?
04
What methods do you use to identify which digital habits need changing?
05
How do you tailor a programme to an individual's circumstances?
