These days everyone has a phone and as parents we want to encourage sensible and appropriate usage for our children as they grow and develop. This is a family phone agreement that I developed with my son and through research. You can download a word version of the agreement for easy printing and modification.
The text of the agreement is below – look forward to your comments and feedback.
Family phone agreement between parent and child
- I promise not to spend too much time on my phone – maximum ____ hours.
Initial here: ______ - I understand that the rules below are for my safety and that my parents love me more than anything in the world. I understand that my parents want to give me freedom, while also giving me enough security to make smart choices.
Initial here: ______ - I will hand the phone to one of my parents promptly at _______ pm every school night and every weekend night at _______ pm. I will get it back when I wake on weekends and on weekdays when I return from school.
Initial here: ______ - I will not use my phone in a bad way such as looking at haraam things. I know Allah(SWT) is watching me all the time and I will not clear my search history. I will not send or receive haraam photos. Ever. I understand that there could be serious legal consequences that could put my future and my parents’ future at risk.
Initial here: ______ - I promise that my parents will always know my phone passwords. I understand that my parents have a right to look at my phone whenever there’s a need for them to do so, even without my permission.
Initial here: ______ - I will spend at least one hour, every single day, learning something new outside of school without using my phone.
Initial here: ______ - I understand that my behaviour on my phone can impact my future reputation—even in ways that I am not able to predict or see.
Initial here: ______ - I promise I will tell my parents when I receive suspicious or alarming phone calls or messages from people I don’t know. I will also tell my parents if someone is harassing me on my phone.
Initial here: ______ - When I am old enough, I won’t text and drive. I understand it’s very dangerous and pretty stupid.
Initial here: ______ - I will make an effort to learn phone and internet etiquette. I understand this is an extension of normal manners. I will turn off, silence, and put my phone away in public – especially in a restaurant, visiting other peoples houses (except with their permission), or while speaking with another human being. I am not a rude person. I will not allow the phone to change this important part of who I am.
Initial here: ______ - I will NEVER use my phone or social media to bully or tease anyone, even if my friends think it’s funny.
Initial here: ______ - I will not lie about where I have been or how I am using the phone. I promise to answer questions openly, honestly, and directly.
Initial here: ______ - I understand that this is NOT my phone and that it was paid for by my parents. Having this phone is not a right – it is a privilege that can be taken away. If I do not abide by these rules, my parents can remove my phone at any time, whenever they please.
Initial here: ______ - As such, I have read the following document and agree to the above rules. I understand that if I have any questions, I should talk to my parents face-to-face.
Sign here ___________________________________
Date ____________________________________
