Family Screen-Time Agreement

Our Why

We want the phone to help with connection, independence, fun, and safety without crowding out sleep, school, family time, or other interests. These rules are for everyone to understand and follow, and we will adjust them together as trust and needs change.

The Limits

• School days (Monday–Thursday): Recreational phone and gaming time is allowed after homework and responsibilities are finished, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. and 7:00–8:00 p.m., for a maximum of 2 hours total.
• Weekends (Friday–Sunday): Recreational screen time is allowed between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., for a maximum of 3 hours per day. Longer gaming sessions with friends need to be agreed on in advance.
• Bedtime: The phone goes to its nighttime charging spot by 8:30 p.m. on school nights and 9:30 p.m. on weekends.
• Meals: No phones or other personal devices at the table during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Calls from a parent or an emergency are exceptions.
• Schoolwork, video calls with family, and necessary messages do not count as recreational time, but they should not become a reason to keep browsing or gaming.

Where Devices Live at Night

All personal devices charge overnight in the kitchen charging station, not in bedrooms. Parents’ phones follow the same rule unless one is needed nearby for work or emergencies.

What Is Fine

You may:

• Call or message family and approved friends.
• Play age-appropriate games and game with friends during allowed hours.
• Use music, maps, the camera, school tools, and approved creative apps.
• Watch age-appropriate videos on services we have approved.
• Tell us if something online feels strange, upsetting, or unsafe without being punished for asking for help.

What Needs Asking First

Ask a parent before:

• Downloading any app or game, making an in-app purchase, or starting a free trial.
• Joining a new social media platform, group chat, gaming server, or livestream.