The most effective approach to managing technology at home is not to impose a rigid contract but to facilitate an ongoing conversation. A "Family Tech Agreement" is the physical result of that conversation.1 Research and expert advice consistently show that involving children in the discussion around screen use and rules helps establish their buy-in, limits daily conflict, and builds their crucial skills of self-regulation.6 The process of creating the agreement together builds trust and opens lines of communication, which are far more powerful than the rules themselves.4

Key starting points for this agreement include establishing "Tech-Free Zones" and a "Central Charging Station".1 Designating the dinner table and bedrooms as device-free areas fosters face-to-face interaction and protects sacred family time.7 Charging all devices overnight in a central location, like the kitchen, helps ensure better sleep and re-establishes the bedroom as a place for rest.1

● Questions:

1. What is one room in our house that should always be a "no-device" zone and why?

2. Where is the best central place for us to charge all our devices overnight?

● Family Activity: Sit down as a family with a large piece of paper or a whiteboard. Brainstorm and write down 3-5 core rules for your Family Tech Agreement. Focus on positive framing (e.g., "We put phones away at dinner so we can talk") rather than purely negative rules. Have everyone sign it and post it somewhere visible, like on the refrigerator, as a daily reminder of the shared commitment.6