Abstract: For example, a method includes obtaining sensor data depicting movements of facial features of a user who is present in a location in which a media item is being presented, calculating, using the sensor data, an alertness score for the user, determining the alertness score falls below a predefined threshold alertness score, starting, in response to determining that the alertness score falls below the predefined threshold alertness score, a timer while continuing to calculate the alertness score for the user using newly obtained sensor data, determining that the alertness score for the user using the newly obtained sensor data has failed to meet the predefined threshold alertness score before an expiration of the timer, and taking, in response to the alertness score for the user using the newly obtained sensor data failing to meet the predefined threshold score before expiration of the timer, an action associated with the media item.