Establish a family technology agreement

Create a written agreement that everyone in the family signs. Include rules about where devices can be used (common areas, not bedrooms at night), when screens must be put away (meals, homework time), and what to do when something concerning happens online.

Why It Works

A written agreement makes expectations clear and gives children ownership of the rules. It also holds parents accountable for their own device habits, modeling the behavior they expect from their children.

Tips

• Let children participate in creating the rules — they follow agreements they help write
• Include consequences for violations that are proportional and consistent
• Review and update the agreement every 6 months as children mature
• Post it somewhere visible like the refrigerator
• Include positive rewards for following the agreement, not just consequences for breaking it