An interactive worksheet to help families discuss devices, expectations, and what you agree on together.
There isn't one digital agreement that works for every household. This tool helps families choose the topics that matter to them, talk through their expectations, and write down what they decide. The agreement can change as needs, circumstances, independence, and age change.
You don't need to fill this out all at once. Pick topics that matter most to your household, have the conversation, and write down what you agree on.
About your agreement
Choose your agreement topics
Select the topics you want to include in your agreement. You can select as many as you want and add more later.
You can type your agreement here, or choose your topics, print the blank agreement, and fill it out together by hand.
Device time & charging
Are there times or places where devices should be put away?
Consider meals, homework time, family activities, or sleep time.
Where will devices charge overnight?
Common area? Outside bedrooms? Charging stations?
Are there different expectations for school nights vs. weekends?
Do these expectations apply to adults too?
Should adults model the same habits you're asking others to follow?
Apps & games
Can apps and games be downloaded independently, or should they be discussed first?
What information should be checked before downloading? What app ratings or categories are okay?
Check a specific app to understand what it does, what to watch for, and what settings may matter before downloading.
Purchases & spending
Are in-app purchases, game purchases, or digital content allowed?
Is permission needed? Are there spending limits? Who pays? How are accidental purchases handled?
Privacy & personal information
What personal information should stay private or be shared carefully?
Review your privacy settings guide to understand what common privacy controls do and how to adjust them on different platforms.
Passwords & account access
How will account access and passwords be managed?
For younger people, caregivers may manage directly. For older young people or teens, what level of oversight makes sense? How will independence grow over time?
Location sharing
When, if ever, should location be shared?
Family location apps? Location sharing with friends? Continuous or temporary? Who can see location?
Online friends & messaging
What's okay when it comes to online contact and friends?
Message requests from strangers? Online-only friendships? Group chats? What should they do if a message makes them uncomfortable?
Gaming
If gaming is part of device use, what matters to your household?
In-game chat? Multiplayer with strangers? In-game purchases? Time limits? Game age ratings?
Photos & sharing
What are the expectations around photos, videos, and sharing?
Sharing friends' photos without asking? Posting videos? Types of content that should never be shared?
When problems happen
If something uncomfortable, confusing, unsafe, or unexpected happens online, asking for help should be easier than hiding the problem. This section is about how to handle those moments with safety and support first.
Who can they talk to if something goes wrong?
Is there more than one trusted adult? How should they start the conversation?
What happens first when there's a problem?
Handle immediate safety first. Block, remove contact, leave. Preserve evidence if needed. Tell who needs to know.
DigitalCap Respond has step-by-step guidance for mean comments, uncomfortable contact, pressure, and other situations. Consider reviewing it together.
Broken agreements
When an agreement isn't followed, there's usually a reason to address it. But the response depends on what happened and what makes sense for your household. Different families handle this differently, and that's okay.
If an agreement is broken, what response makes sense?
A conversation? Temporary changes? Repairing harm? Checking if the rule is realistic?
Growing independence
As people grow, their privacy, independence, responsibility, and supervision can change. These changes should happen thoughtfully and with communication.
What responsibilities or behaviors show readiness for more independence?
Honesty about device use? Good decisions without supervision? Following agreements? Asking for help?
Which protections or supervision can change over time?
Password sharing? Location sharing? App approval? Screen time limits?
Which safety practices should stay the same?
What will you always discuss or check in about, regardless of age?
Tips for making this work
Create expectations together when possible. People are more likely to follow agreements they helped create.
Start with what matters most. You don't need to fill out every section at once.
Adults can model the habits you're discussing. If device-free time matters, adults participate too.
Revisit agreements regularly. Plans may change as people grow, as new devices arrive, or as circumstances shift.
Clarity is often more useful than assumptions. A conversation about what you each expect is worth more than guessing.
Rules should help support safety and healthy use, not make someone afraid to ask for help. The point is connection and understanding, not control.
We talked about this together
This agreement reflects what we talked about and decided together. We can revisit it when our needs change.