Setting Up a Family Technology Contract

By Tracey Dowdy

A Family Technology Contract can be a powerful tool in establishing boundaries and set your family up for success instead of frustration and tears.

And because the holidays mean new devices for many of us, there’s no time like the present – get it, the present? as in time and gift – to set some boundaries for its use.

The best approach to establishing boundaries is to make your agreement a partnership between you and your child. By involving your child and explaining the reasons behind the rules, he or she will take ownership and be more likely to comply with the guidelines. And, because the agreement requires commitment from you, your child will be more likely to see this as a fair and balanced arrangement.

PRIVACY
Child – I will not share private information including my phone number, address, name of my school, parents, or siblings without my parents’ consent.
Parent – I will carefully monitor the sites and apps my child is interested in and ensure our privacy settings are up to date to provide the safest online experience possible.

TIME LIMITS
Child
– I will respect the time limits set for me and understand technology use is a privilege. I will not neglect my homework, chores, extra-curricular activities, or family time, and understand they always come first.
Parent – I will set reasonable time limits and understand if my child sometimes needs additional time. I will listen respectfully and may allow additional time if we both agree the privilege has been earned and is appropriate.

BEHAVIOR
Child
– I will not say anything online I would not say to someone face to face. I understand bullying is just as wrong online as in the real world and I will not comment or share anything that would hurt another person.
Parent – I will monitor my child’s behavior and deal with inappropriate behavior immediately whether my child is the aggressor or the victim. I hold the same online behavior standards for myself.

SAFETY
Child
– If someone says something to me online that makes me feel uncomfortable or unsafe I will tell my parents right away.
Parent – I will not blame or shame my child if someone makes them feel unsafe, even if my child has broken the rules in our technology agreement. I will help my child safely remove himself from the conversation or situation and will always protect him.

 FRIENDS
Child – I will not agree to meet someone I have been talking to online without talking to my parents first. If my parents say we can meet, I will ask my parents to come along and we will meet in a safe, public location.
Parent – I will monitor my child’s online friendships and I reserve the right to end any relationships that I deem unsafe or unhealthy.

PASSWORDS
Child
– I will not share passwords without my parents’ consent.
Parents – I will set secure, complex passwords that cannot easily be hacked.

PARENTALCONTROLS
Child –
I will not download, purchase or update software, apps, games, or anything else without my parents’ consent.
Parents – I will set up parental controls and ensure they are up to date so that my child cannot accidentally update, purchase or download without my consent or assistance.

SUPPORT
Child –
I will be patient with my parents if they don’t understand a game, app or anything else I am doing online.
Parents – I will do my best to stay up to date with trends in technology and be respectful of games, apps or websites my child is interested in even if I don’t understand them.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

Comments:

  1. Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you
    offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material.
    Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding
    your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  2. Simply want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is
    simply great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission allow me to grab
    your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  3. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back from now on. I
    want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing,
    have a nice afternoon!

  4. Why viewers still make use of to read news papers
    when in this technological globe all is available on net?

  5. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to
    assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  6. Truly no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other people that they will
    assist, so here it occurs.

  7. Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue with your web site in internet explorer, would check this?
    IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a huge part of other
    folks will pass over your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  8. Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. Such clever work and coverage!

    Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.

  9. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
    in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account
    your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment
    and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  10. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after looking at many of the
    articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  11. For latest information you have to pay a visit world-wide-web and on web I found this web page as a best website for latest updates.

  12. Howdy! This post could not be written much better!
    Looking through this post reminds me of my
    previous roommate! He always kept talking about this.
    I am going to forward this information to him. Pretty sure
    he’s going to have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  13. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day.
    It’s always interesting to read through articles from other
    writers and practice something from their sites.

  14. Definitely imagine that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to
    be at the net the easiest thing to take into accout of.

    I say to you, I certainly get annoyed at the same time as other
    folks consider worries that they just don’t understand about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also defined out the entire
    thing without having side effect , other people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

  15. Hello, its nice paragraph about media print, we all understand media is a enormous source
    of facts.

  16. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly loved browsing your blog posts.
    In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and
    I am hoping you write once more soon!

  17. Tremendous issues here. I am very happy to see your
    article. Thanks a lot and I’m taking a look ahead to contact you.
    Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  18. What’s up to every one, it’s genuinely a pleasant for mme to pay a visit this web site, it includes important Information.

    Visit my site; Cam4

  19. I must thank you for the efforts you have putt in writingg this blog.

    I really hope to view the same high-grade blogg posts from you in the future as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me
    to get my own ste now 😉

    Here iss my webpage :: watch sex video

  20. Thank you for some oher informative web site. Where else could
    I get that kind of info written in such aan ideal manner?
    I’ve a undertaking tht I am just now working on, and
    I’ve been on the glance out for such information.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog; live sex guide

  21. Thank you a bunch foor sharing this with all of us you actually recognise what you are speaking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my web site =).
    We will have a link change arrangement between us

    Feel free to surf to myy web blog: teen nudes

  22. each time i used to read smaller articles that also clear
    their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am
    reading at this place.

    Here is my web blog: fake webcam

  23. Biz seksin en iyi ve en çok izlenen xvideos pornosunu
    seçtik. Xvideo Porno Çevrimiçi x amatör videoları izleyebileceğiniz en iyi
    yer. Web sitemizi, Brezilyalılarımızın en iyi, en güncel.

  24. naturally like your web site however you need to test the spelling on several of your posts.
    Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to
    tell the truth however I will definitely come back again.

  25. Can I simply just say what a comfort to find an individual
    who genuinely understands what they’re discussing online.
    You certainly understand how to bring a problem to light and
    make it important. More people really need to look at this and understand this side of the story.
    I was surprised that you aren’t more popular given that you certainly possess the
    gift.

  26. Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my weblog so i came to return the favor?.I am trying to to find things
    to enhance my web site!I guess its good enough to
    make use of a few of your ideas!!

  27. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I
    clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
    well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted
    to say superb blog!

  28. Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired!
    Very useful info specially the remaining phase 🙂 I maintain such information a lot.
    I was seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time.
    Thanks and good luck.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *