Making It Official: Family Online Safety Contracts

Only 3 in 10 children
have rules about
media use

If you've found my blog, there's a good chance that you're interested in family online safety and technology issues. You may already have a clear idea of how you want to manage your family's media and technology habits. Or maybe you want to make changes and take more responsibility for technology use in the home, but could use a little guidance as you get started.

I've found a few reputable sites that have downloadable contracts and activities to facilitate a healthy understanding of roles and responsibilities for family technology use. Only three in 10 children have "rules about media use,"* so reviewing, discussing and signing an agreement may be just what your family needs to understand how everyone can practice online safety and responsible media intake in the home. At very least, the content of these contracts can inspire conversation with your spouse, shared guardian, or your kids, sparking healthy changes.

Check out these contracts, agreements and other documents, and find one that suits your family. (These are all links to PDF documents.)

• Family Media Agreements by Common Sense Media
• Parents and Kids Grades K-5 (Elementary School)
• Parents and Kids Grades 6-8 (Middle School)
• Parents and Teens in High School
• Family Online Safety Contracts by Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI)
• In English
• En Espanol
• Internet Safety Tips (and activities) for kids by Web Wise Kids. Although these are not contracts, they contain wonderful shared learning activities that families can do together, introducing constructive discussions - and expectations - about Internet safety.
• Grades K through 3
• Grades 4-6

*Source: Parenting.com