The Commons timer only counts active phone use during school hours — meaning the phone must be unlocked and the student is using apps, texting, looking at photos, or simply has the screen on. It does not record time when the phone is locked, being used only inside The Commons app, or outside of school hours.
Because the timer adds up short bursts of use throughout the day — even quick checks between classes — those minutes are totaled. So even if your student wasn’t on their phone for long stretches during class, unlocking it briefly will still contribute to their daily total.
Rest assured: this timer does not monitor what your student is doing — only how long their phone is actively in use.
Tip: When the Commons app is opened, it may “catch up” and display all the usage time recorded since the last time the app was opened.