Creating a Family Tech Contract: Set Digital Boundaries That Work

Screens are everywhere—at school, at home, and in your child’s pocket. While technology brings amazing benefits, it also opens the door to distractions, risks, and habits that can be hard to manage. That’s why one of the smartest things you can do as a parent is create a Family Tech Contract.

Think of it as a roadmap for how your family will use technology—with clear expectations, boundaries, and shared values. When kids know the “why” behind the rules and help create them, they’re far more likely to follow them.

In this post, we’ll walk you through what a Family Tech Contract looks like and how to use one in your home. Whether your child is just starting to use a tablet or already texting friends, this contract can help you set healthy habits that last.

Why a Tech Contract Works

A tech contract isn’t about control—it’s about communication. It gives you a chance to talk with your child about screen time, online safety, and respectful digital behavior before issues come up. It also shows that everyone in the family plays a part in creating a balanced digital life.

What to Include in Your Contract

Here are five key sections that every family tech agreement should cover:

1. Screen Time Rules

   • Daily limits for weekdays and weekends

   • When screens are off (like meals, homework, and bedtime)

   • The importance of taking breaks

2. Device Use

   • Rules about downloading apps or games

   • Keeping devices in shared spaces

   • Overnight charging stations

3. Online Safety

   • Protecting personal information

   • Only connecting with people your child knows

   • Speaking up if something online feels off

4. Respectful Behavior

   • Treating others kindly

   • No cyberbullying, gossip, or exclusion

   • Reporting anything harmful

5. Consequences & Conversations

   • Clear, consistent consequences for breaking the agreement

   • Regular family check-ins to adjust rules as your child grows

Create Your Own

In our first book, Cyber-Smart Parenting: Protecting Your Child in the Digital Age ( Buy on Amazon #ad), we provide a sample Family Tech Contract you can use as-is by ripping it out and filling in the blanks to fit your household.

Final Thoughts

Setting boundaries around tech isn’t always easy—but it’s one of the most important ways we can protect and empower our kids. A Family Tech Contract turns expectations into a conversation, not a confrontation. And the best part? It grows with your child.

Ready to start the conversation? Print out the contract, sit down together, and build your digital rules as a family.