FAMILY CONTRACT FOR MEDIA USE
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This family contract establishes media use ground rules for our home.  Clearly defining these limits helps (name of child/children) and our entire family make smart TV, Internet and Phone choices.

TV
· I will watch only TV programs and movies that my parents feel are appropriate for me – even when I’m not at home or my parents are not around.
· I will respect and comply with the Parental Control settings in my home at all times.
· I will watch no more than (insert number) hours of non-educational television each day and only after completing my homework.
*Insert any additional TV rules created by you and your kids together.

Internet
· I will use only chat rooms and Web Sites approved by my parents.
· I will never give out any of my personal information online or use a screen name that tells people I’m a child.
· I will never meet an online "friend" face-to-face.
· I will never respond to offensive or dangerous Emails, chat, or other communications. If I receive any upsetting or scary messages, I will tell my parents immediately.
  *Insert any additional Internet rules created by you and your kids together.

Phone
· I will never talk to strangers on the phone or in person. If I don’t recognize the Caller, I won’t tell them any personal information or reveal if I’m home alone.
· If a phone call upsets or scares me, I will give the phone to my parents or hang up immediately and tell my parents what happened.
· I will not call any 900 or 976 phone numbers without the permission of my parents.

*Insert any additional telephone rules created by you and your kids together.

Signatures:
Parent(s): ___________________________________________
Date: ___________
Child: ______________________________________________ 
Date: ___________
Child: ______________________________________________ 
Date: ___________

 

Family Contract Usage Tips

1. Customize the highlighted sections (or any portions) of this document. Keep your wording as precise as possible to prevent any misunderstandings.
2. Specify rewards and consequences. For example, your child would lose TV watching privileges for a designated amount of time for breaking the rules. Likewise, you could create a reward system with items such as extra allowance for compliance.
3. Start by asking your child to establish the rules, consequences and rewards to encourage a sense of ownership. They are more likely to respect the limits if they helped create them.
4. Don't hesitate to enforce the Family Contract. Evaluate your child's behavior regularly and talk about his TV, Internet and phone usage.
 

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