Your child wants a phone and you're ready to give in. Even though the day has finally come, make sure you know how to set up phone rules/sign a phone usage contract with your child before letting them have at it.

1. 7 TIPS ON SETTING
PHONE RULES WITH
YOUR CHILD

2. According to the Pew Research Center, “88% of children
aged 13 to 17 have (or have access to) a cell phone.
DID YOU KNOW?

3. GET
SPECIFIC
Any generality (seriously, even one
that doesn’t seem like a big deal) is an
open window for your child to flip the
rule around.

4. SET CLEAR
CONSEQUENCES
Rules can’t stand alone. Set
clear consequences that
match the “crime.” Ask
yourself, “is this fair?” before
going too far. And of course,
like the rules, your child can
participate in the
consequences discussion.

5. 90% of teens with cell phones text their
friends (Pew Research Center). So
banning texting all together wouldn’t be
realistic. Consider your child’s requests
and set realistic restrictions dependent
on your child’s on maturity and age.
BE REALISTIC

6. Parenting is never easy. Ask
around! You can take what’s
generally accepted by different
parents and put it together into
your own version of cell phone
rules.
Are you confused?
Unsure?
CRO
W
D
SO
U
RCE

7. PUBLIC V.S. PRIVATE
When you start setting the
rules, talk about what on
the phone your child can
keep private and what you
can review. Remember to
respect their need for
privacy and independence.

8. FAMILY
VALUES
Your phone rules should reflect your
family’s values and parenting styles.
You want your child to be safe online,
and you also want it to match up with
your own technology and
communication beliefs.

9. Keep your child
safe online.
To learn more about child online
safety, check out the Parents’
Survival Guide to Online Safety
by clicking here; or, visit
kidguard.com.