- The whole family, including the adults
- About 20 minutes
- A printer, or a phone to save the plan
Open the free planner
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a free Family Media Plan tool on HealthyChildren.org. Add each family member, adults included.
Pick a few rules that fit
Good starting rules: screen-free dinner and bedtime, phones charge outside bedrooms overnight, one screen at a time, ask before downloading new apps, and turn off autoplay.
Agree on safety basics
Add: don't share passwords, home address or location with people online; tell a parent about anything scary or upsetting; and never pay or give card details without asking.
Sign it, post it, review it
Print it or save it, have everyone sign, and stick it on the fridge. Review it at the start of each school year and over summer break.
💡 Tip: Follow the rules yourself. Kids copy what adults do with screens.
Then set it up on the devices: kid's first phone and filter your home Wi-Fi. Menu names change as apps update. These steps were checked against official help pages in October 2026.
Related game: Safe or Risky?. Related explainer: What does “the algorithm” mean on social media? .