TL;DR: Rigid screen time timers are the "dieting" of the digital world—they usually fail because they don't account for quality. A Family Media Plan is your family’s tech mission statement. It’s about moving from "stop doing that" to "here is how we use tools to be awesome humans."
Quick Links for Quality Content:
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown – The gold standard for "unplugging" narratives.
- Minecraft – The "creative mode" is basically digital LEGOs; the "survival mode" is a lesson in risk management.
- Hades – For older kids, a masterclass in Greek mythology and "try again" resilience.
- Bluey – The only show that actually teaches parents how to play with their kids.
- Scratch – Where kids go to stop consuming and start creating.
In 2026, "screen time" is a bit of a legacy term. It’s like saying "paper time" back in the 90s—it doesn’t tell you if the kid is reading the encyclopedia or looking at a trashy tabloid. A Family Media Plan is a collaborative agreement that defines the who, what, where, and when of technology in your home.
It’s not just a list of chores to do before getting the iPad. It’s a document that evolves as your kids go from watching Sesame Street to asking why everything is "so Ohio" and deep-diving into Skibidi Toilet lore. It covers everything from social media safety to whether or not Roblox is actually teaching them entrepreneurship or just turning them into "Robux" addicts.
Learn how to start the first conversation about a media plan
We’ve all seen the "zombie stare" when a kid has been on YouTube for three hours. But the reason we need a plan isn't just to stop the staring; it's to protect three specific things: Sleep, Sanity, and Connection.
- Sleep: Blue light is a thing, but the "algorithmic pull" is worse. If the phone is in the bedroom, the brain isn't sleeping.
- Sanity: Constant notifications create a "slot machine" brain. We want kids who can handle boredom without a hit of dopamine.
- Connection: If everyone is doomscrolling during dinner, you’re just roommates who share a Netflix password.
We also need to address the "Brain Rot" content. While Skibidi Toilet is weirdly fascinating to a 7-year-old, it’s essentially the digital equivalent of eating a giant bag of candy for dinner. It’s fine for five minutes, but if it's the whole meal, your kid’s attention span is going to be "cooked."
1. Define "Green Light" vs. "Red Light" Media
Not all screens are created equal. Your plan should acknowledge that an hour on Duolingo or Scratch is fundamentally different than an hour of mindless TikTok scrolling.
- Green Light: Creative, educational, or high-quality storytelling. Think The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or listening to the Wow in the World podcast.
- Yellow Light: Passive entertainment that’s age-appropriate but mindless. MrBeast videos (exciting, but high-octane) or Nintendo Switch Sports.
- Red Light: Content that is manipulative, predatory, or just plain garbage. This includes "unboxing" videos, games with aggressive "pay-to-win" mechanics, or anything that makes your kid act like a jerk immediately after turning it off.
2. The "No-Fly Zones"
The easiest way to implement a plan is to have tech-free spaces rather than tech-free times.
- The Dining Table: No phones, no iPads. Even for parents. Especially for parents.
- The Bedroom: Devices charge in a central location (the "Kitchen Dock") overnight.
- The Car (Short Trips): Let them be bored. Let them look out the window. If it's an 8-hour road trip, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a godsend. If it's a 10-minute drive to school, they can survive without a screen.
3. The Roblox Conversation
Is Roblox teaching them to be the next Mark Zuckerberg? Maybe. But it’s also a platform where "limited edition" items and "pet trading" can lead to some seriously sketchy behavior. Your media plan should include a "spending cap" and a clear understanding of what happens if they get scammed.
Check out our guide on whether Roblox is safe for your kid
Ages 0-5: The Co-Viewing Phase
At this age, the goal is to prevent the "iPad Parent" trap. If they’re watching something, you’re watching it too (or at least you’re in the room).
Ages 6-12: The "Ohio" & Gaming Phase
This is when they start wanting what their friends have. Fortnite and Minecraft are the new playgrounds.
- Recommendation: Use Common Sense Media or Screenwise to vet games before they download.
- The Plan: Set a "Social Media Minimum Age." Most platforms say 13, but many parents find that 14 or 15 is a better fit for the maturity required to handle a Discord server.
Ages 13+: The Trust & Verify Phase
You can’t control them anymore, so you have to influence them.
If you sit them down and say, "Here are the new rules," they will rebel. If you sit them down and say, "I feel like we’re all spending too much time on our phones and I miss talking to you guys—how should we fix this?" you might actually get somewhere.
Try these prompts:
- "Which apps make you feel happy, and which ones make you feel like you just wasted an hour?"
- "What’s a fair consequence if someone (including me!) uses their phone at the dinner table?"
- "I’m worried about YouTube rabbit holes. Can we agree to only watch specific creators we trust?"
Ask our chatbot for a script to talk to your teen about TikTok
You cannot ask your child to stay off Instagram if you are scrolling Facebook while they are trying to tell you about their day. A Family Media Plan applies to the adults, too.
In fact, the most powerful part of a media plan is the "Parental Reset." If you find yourself checking work emails at 9 PM, your kids see that "always-on" behavior as the goal. Part of your plan should be a "Work-Life Tech Split" for the grown-ups.
A Family Media Plan isn't about being "anti-tech." It’s about being pro-family. Technology is a tool—like a hammer. You can use a hammer to build a house, or you can use it to smash your thumb.
In 2026, we’re surrounded by digital hammers. A plan ensures your kids know how to build something beautiful with them instead of just getting hurt.
- Audit your current habits. Take the Screenwise survey to see how your family compares to your community norms.
- Pick one "No-Fly Zone." Start small. No phones at dinner is the easiest win.
- Introduce a "Green Light" alternative. If you’re cutting back on YouTube, introduce a high-quality game like Stardew Valley or a family board game like Catan.
- Write it down. Put it on the fridge. It doesn't have to be fancy; a piece of notebook paper works fine.
Generate a customized Family Media Plan template for your kids' ages