To teach your child how to use their mobile devices responsibly

Date:

Dearest ,

Date:

Dearest ,

CONGRATS!

You’ve proven yourself mature and responsible enough for us to consider giving you your own cell phone. Given that you might have a new cell phone in your hands, we obviously trust you to make good decisions - so why are we making you sign this thing that’s loaded with stuff that you probably already know?

Well, let us explain.

A cell phone is more than a piece of technology. If used wrongly, it can be a weapon that puts your safety or future reputation at risk. You’ve always been a great kid, and we want to make sure that you continue making smart choices.

The goal of this agreement is to make sure that you’re always safe and happy - and that we always maintain a direct and open line of communication. I’m asking you to always use your phone for good and to ask for help from us or a trusted adult when a situation leaves you feeling scared or unsure.

Please review this contract, read the following document, and be sure to ask us any questions that you may have.

If you feel you can truly commit to these terms, please sign, and you will receive your __________ (phone model) with your very own phone number.

With love,

Dad & Mom xoxo

FAMILY MOBILE PHONE AGREEMENT

1. 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: ______

2. 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: ______

3. 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 at _____ am. Initial here: _____

4. I understand the primary purpose of this phone is to allow my parents stay in touch with me when they are not around. The primary purpose is NOT to chat or message with my friends. I therefore promise I will ALWAYS answer my parents’ calls and messages first before the others. Initial here: _________

5. I will not send or receive naked photos or any other inappropriate content. Ever. I understand that there could be serious legal consequences that could put mine and my family’s future at risk. Initial here: ______

6. I will never search for anything that I would be embarrassed if seen by Grandma _______ (insert grandma’s name) Initial here: ______

7. I understand that my behavior on my phone can impact my future reputation - even in ways that I am not able to predict or see. Initial here: ______

8. I promise I will tell my parents when I receive suspicious or alarming phone calls or text messages from people I don’t know. I will also tell my parents if I am being harassed by someone via my cell phone. Initial here: ______

9. I promise I won’t walk and type. I understand it’s very dangerous and pretty dumb. Initial here: ______

10. 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, at the movies, 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: ______

11. I promise I will not sign up any social media before the legal requirement age. This includes Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Line, Twitter etc. This also includes all the future social media apps that my parents might not know or understand. I promise to be honest to my parents and always ask for permission before signing up social media profile even when I reach the legal age. Initial here: ________

12. I understand that everything I upload on internet will be permanently online and in 99% of cases I will lose my ownership of such content (pictures, videos, files). Initial here: ________

13. I understand my personal data will be the most valuable assets when I grow up. I understand many free apps are free because they want to take and sell my personal data. I promise to check with my parents before I download and sign in to any apps. Initial here: _______

14. I will NEVER use my phone to bully or tease anyone, even if my friends think it’s funny. Initial here: ______

15. 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. I trust that we can always work things out as a family. 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. 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.

Signed: _____________________________Print Name: ________________________

Witnessed by: ______________________________________ Date: _____________

9 TIPS FOR SMART SMARTPHONE USE

Share with care. Use the same good sense about what you say or share with your phone as you would in person. Once shared, texts, photos, and videos are tough to take back. They can be copied and pasted elsewhere and are out there pretty much forever (even after deleting them). Never write or forward a photo or anything that you wouldn’t want forwarded to everyone in your school. Reputation is important.

Always ask before you take a photo or video, and before you forward a text or photo.

Know what your Apps know. Pay attention to all Apps permissions before installing. If an App wants to access your location, contact list, calendar, camera, or message to post on your social media profile - think if the app really needs such data to function. Always check with your parents before installing.

Share location mindfully. Many apps let you share your location and share with your friends, and track where your friends are. Think about who can see where you are and if you want them to see that. Make sure only your family and long term tested best friends can see that.

Phones are personal. Letting other people using your phone when you are not around is like giving them the passwords to your emails. They could impersonate you, which give them power to mess with your reputation and relationships. Lock your phone when you are not using it and use unique and strong password. Only your parents can know your passwords.

Consider the cost. Learn how much is your monthly phone bill. Understand what are included and what are not included. For the services that are not covered in the monthly plan almost certainly would cost money, sometimes a lot, such as going online without Wifi, or answering/making phone calls when you are overseas. Always try to use Wifi whenever you can, as long as they are safe.

Privacy is key. Never post your cell phone number or broadcast it beyond your friends, because it leaves you open to stalking. Never broadcast your location for the same reason, unless it’s directly shared exclusively to your trusted friends or families.

Be cautious with spam. Never respond to numbers you don’t recognize. If the caller knows you, he or she would leave a voicemail to you. Wait for that before taking calls. If you receive an unsolicited text, that’s spam. Don’t click on it. Tell your parents and we will help you to block them.

Have a life. Don’t feel obligated to respond to your friends’ texts right away. As a student, your primary task is to study. Finish your homework and other primary tasks before replying. Don’t let your phone become the barrier to enjoy real world/people interactions. Look up the sky, listen to the birds, watch rivers flow by, have in person conversations with your loved ones. The screen is not your world.

Nothing replaces F2F. If a ‘friend’ sends you a mean message, take a deep breath and turn off your phone. Talk to them the next day, Face to Face, about it. Never say anything via text that you wouldn’t say Face to Face. Never respond while being angry. Always sleep on it.