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Family Screen Time Contract: Free Template

Shared rules work better than imposed bans. Here's how to write them together — with a ready-made template.

Aggiornato: Giugno 2026 • Lettura: 6 min

A ban imposed from above invites rule-breaking. A rule written and signed together becomes a mutual commitment. That's the logic of a screen time contract: turning «me vs. you» conflict into a «the two of us vs. the problem» agreement.

Why It Works

Children respect rules far more when they helped create them. The contract makes expectations and consequences explicit before a fight breaks out, eliminating the endless in-the-moment negotiations. It's especially useful when dealing with a child who struggles to stop.

Template to Copy

Adapt this to your child's age:

  • When: screens after homework, never at the table, never after 8pm.
  • How much: X hours on school days, Y on weekends (see hours by age).
  • Where: in the living room, never in the bedroom.
  • What: agreed apps and games; new apps must be asked for first.
  • How it ends: a 10-minute warning, then close without protest.
  • Consequences: if the limit is exceeded, the next day is shorter. Agreed and written.
  • Parents' commitments: no phones at the table for us either. It applies to everyone.

From contract to practice

Nami Kids enforces the agreement automatically, so you don't have to be the police. 14 days free.

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The Missing Piece: Enforcement

The contract defines the rules, but who enforces them? If the answer is always you, you become the «bad guy» at every shutoff. A tool like Nami Kids applies the agreed limits automatically and ends the session with a short story, so the agreement enforces itself. For the technical side, see the guide on how to limit screen time and what to set for each age.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Too many rules: 5-6 clear points beat 20 forgotten ones.
  • Consequences decided in the moment: they feel arbitrary. Agree them in advance.
  • Double standards: if you're always on your phone, the contract loses its weight.

Frequently Asked Questions: Family Screen Time Contract

At what age does a technology contract work?
It works from age 6-7 in a simple, illustrated form, and becomes most effective from age 9 up, when the child grasps the idea of a mutual agreement and of consequences.
Should the contract include punishments?
It's better to talk about consequences agreed in advance, not punishments decided on the spot. A consequence is predictable and accepted; a punishment feels unfair. Write them together, before they're needed.
Is a contract enough to enforce limits?
No: the contract defines the rules, but enforcing them needs a tool that manages limits automatically, so the adult isn't the police. The agreement sets the 'what', the parental control handles the 'how'.

Keep reading

How many hours of screen time The limits to put in the contract. Limit screen time How to enforce the agreement. Parental controls by age Rules tailored to 6, 9, 12. Right age for first smartphone Set rules before handing it over.

An agreement that enforces itself

Nami Kids applies the agreed rules and handles the transition. 14 days free.

Start free trial

2 weeks free • €5.99/month after