This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.
What is a Family Technology Plan
A family technology plan is a set of guidelines and rules that are agreed upon by family members to establish healthy habits and safe technology use. It is designed to help families manage and regulate the use of technology within the home, and to ensure that everyone in the household understands the expectations and responsibilities associated with the use of technology.
A family technology plan may cover a variety of topics, such as:
When screen time is allowed E.g. After homework and chores are done, after physical activity, not during the school week, only on the weekend.
How much screen time is allowed.
Screen free areas in your home E.g. bedroom, bathroom, toilet, dinner table
Screen free time E.g. The hour before bed
Online Safety
Online Security & Privacy
Digital Wellbeing
Digital Citizenship
Rules for social media, mobile devices, gaming, content creation etc.
Rules, restrictions, boundaries and consequences of misuse.
What are your 'non-negotiables' E.g. No devices in the bedroom over night, social media will be considered at 13 years of age.
The intention of a family technology plan is to create a framework that helps promote respectful, responsible, moderate, mindful and safe use of technology, while also fostering open communication among family members. By working together to establish these guidelines, families can help ensure that everyone is using technology in a way that is safe, healthy, and positive for all involved.
Creating a family plan
I'm not going to provide you with a template plan because every family and child is different, what works for one may not work for another. Rather, I'm going to share some things you might like to consider when creating a written family plan or verbally discussing this with your child. This will assist you to consider the rules, restrictions and boundaries that will exist in your home. It will also help you to explain your reasons for the rules and the consequences if rules are broken/boundaries tested.
You can use this information to tailor an agreement that will work for your family. Your family media plan may be:
Written
Electronically created, stored and shared
A poster created together and displayed
Ongoing conversation
The earlier you start this the better! It will assist you to create clear expectations around technology use and internet access that are in line with your family values. The agreement can be reviewed over time and changes made as needed.
The information below is not exhaustive, consider it and then use it in a way that will work for your family. The content is divided into sections:
Loan don't own
Having a device is a privilege, not a right. This device is on loan to you and with it comes rules and responsibilities. As your parent/s we have the responsibility to teach, guide, model and support you to have safe, positive and respectful online experiences. We have to consider your developing brain and body and also how technology use can affect your mood, behaviour and choices.
Your health, wellbeing and safety is very important to us. We know you won’t always agree with our decisions but please know we have your best interests at heart.
We know the internet is amazing and an important part of your life. It’s also ever changing so we’ll have ongoing discussions about what you can and can’t do. We will listen to you and consider your point of view. If we say 'no' to something it’s not 'no' forever it’s ‘no, not yet’, we’re open to considering it in the future.
There is nothing you could do that would ever mean we love you less. From time to time you may do things that upset, disappoint or frustrate us but we will always be here to listen to you, stand by you, support you and help you find solutions to issues you may be facing.
Device
Where in the house can devices be used.
Where will devices be returned to after use.
Where will devices be charged when not in use and over night.
Will you use free or third party paid parental controls.
Is permission needed to download apps and games onto the device.
Is permission needed to visit new websites.
If apps are removed from the device without permission is there a consequence.
How are devices to be treated? Eg. with care, kept clean, charged, stored safety and not left lying around.
If the device leaves the home what are your expectations for its use.
Privacy and Security
Have a family email address for signing up to sites, apps, games and online services.
Help your child create email/s account's.
Teach your child how to create secure passwords.
Will you know your child's passwords.
If your child changes a password is there an expectation you'll be told.
Teach your child not to share passwords with anyone except you.
How will you manage location sharing/geo-location services.
Will your child have to ask permission before purchasing apps, making in-app purchases or spending money in other ways.
Will your child have to ask permission before subscribing to sites.
Will you require your child to set all accounts to 'private'.
Will you teach your child not to share any personal information about themselves, family or friends online. Eg. full name, date of birth, age, address, phone number, school name, where they hang out or play sport.
Behaviour Expectations
I will ask my parents for permission to use my device.
I will be respectful online.
I will be kind with my words and behaviour.
I will not use my device to tease, bully, put down, embarrass, frighten, humiliate or threaten anyone.
Cyberbullying is not ok and if I see someone being bullied I’ll do something about it.
When I’m at school I will follow the school rules for device use.
I will not use my device during sleep time.
I will not use my device when I should be doing homework.
I will answer the phone and respond to messages if my family contacts me.
I will do my best to use my device in a way that is good for my wellbeing.
I will do my best to make sure my devices doesn’t take me away from other things that are important. Eg. sleep, exercise, family time, time with friends, school work, chores, hobbies etc.
I understand I am not free from the consequences of my actions. If I break rules I may loose the privledge of my device for a period of time.
I will not share photos or videos of other people without their consent (permission).
Safety