Nick and I strongly believe owning and operating devices and technology are a privilege, not a right. In a world so easily fallen to entitlement and fitting in with others, this notion seems to get lost on some. We feel each family should earnestly take stock of every screen or device in the home from the television to ipads, ipods, phones, kindle's and everything in between. The parents need to press pause, and honestly think about laying a new foundation of boundaries, expectations and natural consequences for misuse for each child, no matter the age.

Things to consider:

Time constraints:

What is your family's rule on the appropriate amount of daily screen time?

What days of the week are devices allowed?

What time of day are devices allowed?

Where are devices allowed? Bedrooms? Bathrooms? Upstairs at all? Think about where you use your device and whether or not you'd like your child to be using theirs in that same location. Remember you are modeling the behaviors you want from them. You can survive in the bathroom without it, I assure you.

Earning screen time:

Is your child already at the point where technology need to be earned?

Do they need to finish their homework first, feed the dogs, put away laundry?

Do you need to use a rewards chart, stone jar, or other positive reinforcement?

Consequences:

What is your rule for disobeying these perimeters?

What is your rule for other acts of disobedience? Bad grades? Talking back? Fights?

Create a clear, concise game plan for how/when devices are taken away. If you set all of the expectations ahead of time, they clearly can't win any argument in regards in the injustice of it all.

Approved Content:

Reexamine all games, movies, and television programs, does anything need reversed?

Is your netflix profile created? Have mom/dad approved your watch list?

What apps, websites, games and devices are off limits? Examples: Snapchat, YouTube, Tik Tok

Have you played the games on your phone they play? Have you stopped to watch the ads that pop up?

Online Gaming:

Do you allow your child to access online gaming either on a PC or gaming system?

Have you approved all games, have you watched them play or read the ratings?

Have you turned off the ability for strangers to talk/contact them?

Do you think your child may be addicted to gaming?

*Did you know the American Medical Association has officially added gaming addiction to the journal of medicine. It is a diagnosable disease now.