TL;DR
A family tech contract isn't about being a digital prison warden; it’s about moving from "policing" to "parenting." By setting clear, collaborative expectations, you trade constant hovering for a "living agreement" that grows with your child.
Ask our chatbot for a customized contract template for your family
Let’s be honest: the phrase "Family Tech Contract" sounds incredibly corporate and a little bit "Ohio" (that’s kid-speak for cringey or weird, for those of us still catching up). But in reality, it’s just a digital handshake. It’s a way to get everyone on the same page before the Fortnite rage-quitting starts or the TikTok scrolling turns into a three-hour trance.
Most of us parent tech by "vibes"—we let them play until we get annoyed, then we yell "screens off!" and everyone ends up frustrated. A contract replaces those vibes with predictable rules. It’s a living document that says, "I trust you to explore, and here are the guardrails that keep that trust intact."
We often focus on how much time kids spend online, but the what and how matter so much more. Are they watching Skibidi Toilet on repeat until their brain feels like mashed potatoes? Or are they learning logic through Minecraft?
A contract shifts the focus toward digital wellness. It’s the difference between telling your kid "no" and teaching them how to say "enough" to themselves.
Learn more about the difference between active and passive screen time
When you sit down to write this, don't make it a list of "Thou Shalt Nots." Make it a two-way street. If they follow the rules, they earn more "digital yard space."
1. Safety and Privacy
This is the non-negotiable part.
- Passwords: Parents have them until a certain age (usually 13+).
- Personal Info: No real names, schools, or locations on apps like Roblox or Discord.
- The "Ick" Rule: If they see something weird, scary, or just plain "brain rot," they can come to you without getting their device taken away. This is huge. If they fear losing the iPad, they will hide the scary stuff from you.
2. The Financials (The Roblox Clause)
We’ve all heard the horror stories of kids dropping $500 on Robux. Your contract should specify:
- Who pays for apps?
- Is there a monthly "digital allowance"?
- Are in-game purchases allowed?
Read our guide on whether Roblox is teaching entrepreneurship or just draining your bank account
3. Behavior and Kindness
Digital citizenship is just "not being a jerk online."
- No "griefing" in Minecraft.
- No anonymous hate comments.
- If you wouldn’t say it to their face at school pickup, don’t type it.
4. Time and Place
Define the "No-Go Zones." Usually, this includes:
- The dinner table.
- Bedrooms after a certain hour.
- Family movie night (unless you're all watching The Wild Robot together).
A 7-year-old and a 14-year-old should not have the same contract. Here’s how to scale it:
At this age, it’s all about curation. They don't need "the internet"; they need specific, high-quality "walled gardens."
- Focus: Shared devices, time limits, and educational content.
- Recommended Media: Bluey (for co-watching), Endless Alphabet, and PBS Kids.
- Contract Goal: Learning to transition off the screen without a meltdown.
This is the "tween" era where they start wanting to play with friends. This is where Roblox and Minecraft become their social hubs.
- Focus: Online safety, bullying, and understanding that "free" games often want your money.
- Recommended Media: Scratch for coding, Prodigy Math, and Messenger Kids.
- Contract Goal: Building trust and demonstrating responsible communication.
Now we’re talking TikTok, Instagram, and Discord.
- Focus: Mental health, sleep hygiene, and permanent digital footprints.
- Recommended Media: Duolingo for productive streaks, Letterboxd for film buffs, and BeReal for (slightly) more authentic social media.
- Contract Goal: Self-regulation. They should be the ones suggesting the limits.
Not all "educational" tech is created equal. Some apps claim to be "brain games" but are actually just ad-delivery systems with a math problem every ten minutes.
- YouTube Kids: It’s better than the wild west of main YouTube, but it still has plenty of "brain rot" content. Don't assume that because it's on the "Kids" app, it's enriching.
- Roblox: It's a platform, not a game. Some "experiences" on there are brilliant (like building complex machines), while others are predatory gambling simulators. You need to know which ones your kid is playing.
- Blooket and Kahoot: These are school favorites, but they can be high-stress. If your kid is competitive, these might lead to more frustration than learning.
Check out our guide on identifying high-quality educational apps
If you come at this like a lawyer serving a subpoena, your kids will shut down. Instead, try this:
The "Why" Conversation: "I want you to have more freedom on Minecraft, but I also want to make sure you're getting enough sleep so you're not a zombie at soccer. Let's figure out a plan that works for both of us."
The "Incentive" Clause: "If you can show me for two weeks that you can turn off your tablet when the timer goes off without me asking twice, we can talk about downloading that new game you wanted."
The "Parental" Clause: Be prepared to put your own phone down, too. If the contract says "no phones at dinner," that applies to your work emails as well. Sorry, I don't make the rules (well, actually, you do, but you have to follow them).
A family tech contract isn't a "set it and forget it" document. It’s a conversation starter. As your kid gets older and starts saying things are "mid" or "extra," the contract needs to evolve.
The goal isn't to keep them away from tech—it's to make sure they're the ones in control of the tech, rather than the tech being in control of them.
- Schedule a "Tech Tea" (or Pizza Night): Sit down when everyone is in a good mood.
- Identify the Friction: Ask your kids what they think the biggest screen-time problem is. You might be surprised—they often know they're spending too much time on YouTube.
- Draft the Handshake: Keep it simple. One page. Big font.
- Review in 30 Days: See what's working and what's "Ohio."
Ask our chatbot for advice on handling screen time tantrums
Check out our guide on the best 'non-brain-rot' shows for 2026