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Family Phone Contracts

    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.