Today’s video is about phone contracts. No, not the kind you sign with AT&T or Verizon. I’m talking about a contract you can sign with your kids! Here is today’s CyberSense Minute…
Giving your child a new phone is exciting. As parents we want to make sure our kids will be safe and responsible when using it.
Do a search for “teen phone contract” to find a few examples online and then sit down and spend half-an-hour drafting your own contract that best fits you and your family. Keep it simple. This is NOT a legal document. But it will make it extremely clear to your kids what they can and can’t do with their shiny new phone.
Here are a few key points you might want to include:
Phones are expensive – your child needs to take care of it.
Screen Time – you don’t want your kid turning into one of those iPhone zombies. Set limits.
Social Media/Sharing inappropriate stuff/being mean – here is the simple rule… don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see.
The next step is to arrange a good time to sit down with your child and go through the contract. Discuss each point. Listen to what they say. You might want to alter things a little. As with all parenting, your tone is important. This can be a positive, bonding experience – it shouldn’t turn into a huge argument.
Finally, you both sign the document and celebrate with a high-five.
