New! Tech safety contract for kids (free download)
Modern kids grew up alongside technology, so they often take it for granted. They may not understand digital dangers like scammers, hackers and child predators. That’s why I created this technology contract for kids.
It acts as an agreement between you and your children. Plus, it teaches kids valuable lessons about being digital citizens. Print this contract out and sit down with your child for an important digital lesson.
If your printer isn’t working as well as it used to, try one of these handy solutions. Then, use this technology agreement to teach your children about the risks and responsibilities of using the internet.
This technology contract for kids is essential for their safety
From smartphones to laptops, you and your children use tons of devices on a daily basis. There are so many problem-solving gadgets that make our lives easier. Using tech is a routine part of our daily lives, but I’ll bet you remember a time before we carried powerful do-everything computers in our pockets.
Your children are a different story. They grew up alongside this technology. For many young people, not having instant access to information, friends or online gaming is a foreign concept. However, this constant digital connectivity comes with its share of risks, like malware, pedophiles and cyberbullying.
In the digital age, setting boundaries is an important part of being a parent. That’s why I created a technology contract that acts as an agreement between you and your children. Not only will you teach your kids responsibility, but you’ll also know about their online activities to make sure they’re safe.
This contract sets ground rules for your kids’ digital habits, like:
- How long your kids can use their devices.
- When your kids must put their phones away.
- When your kids can’t use their devices, like during dinner or before their chores are complete.
Sure, it’s not fun to set digital limits. A tech-addicted kid might throw a tantrum or revolt. But you must hold firm for their own good. Otherwise, you might set your child up for failure.
This technology contract for kids holds them accountable
Just think about all the popular apps kids use, like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp. They’re addictive. You’ve probably seen kids, especially teens, glued to their phone screens while thumb-typing at a mind-boggling speed.
Although kids use social media apps to connect to their peers, there’s a dark side you should know about. According to the American Psychological Association, social media platforms may lead to mental health problems like anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia.
That’s why this technology contract is so important. It’s not just about screen time. It’s also about setting limits for how long your child can spend on each platform.
That also includes video games and popular online gaming platforms. If you’re familiar with the craze surrounding the online game Fortnite, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. It can be incredibly hard to your get kids to break away from the screen.
Having total access to devices and accounts
The technology contract I created not only deals with screen time, but also with your child’s online activities and that can cover a lot of ground. A major part is having complete access to their devices and accounts at all times.
- As part of this agreement, you would always have usernames and passwords for all devices and sites your kids use.
- For social media sites, that includes they let you “friend” or follow them.
- You can check their text messages, browsing history and what they’ve downloaded.
Your kids will promise to never use secret accounts or devices and to not tamper with settings of any parental tracking app installed on their phone. They would also promise to never share online credentials with anyone else, including their friends.
This technology contract for kids ensures your kids’ online safety
Who do your kids talk to online? What personal information do they share with others?
My contract also reinforces the age-old rule about strangers, especially when it involves meeting someone you met online in person. Predators hide in the digital shadows, many of them looking for children through dating apps and YouTube.
That’s part of the dark side of the digital age, which can also involve cyberbullying. The agreement also stresses just how important it is for them to let you know when they’re being bullied. It holds them accountable for bullying or saying bad things about others online.
That can lead your child, or someone else’s, to think about hurting themselves. Again, this is why it’s so important to stay involved in your child’s digital life. Tap or click here for three parental safety apps you can install on family computers and phones.
Download my free family phone and internet contract
This tech contract between you and your kids all comes down to safety. Children also need to be aware that any access to online devices and accounts is a privilege, not a right.
Use this agreement as a way to educate them about staying safe and acting responsibly online, and why it’s so important that you, the parents, stay involved in these aspects of their lives.
Tags: cyberbullying, hackers, internet, kids, malware, online safety, safety, screen time, social media, social media platforms, technology
Share:
