Take your job as a student seriously and give school work your best effort. Spend time with friends and family through playdates, activities, or just hanging out. Have a balanced relationship with technology. Get outside:
Aim for one hour a day.
Get exercise:
The AAP recommends one hour a day.
Get enough sleep:
The AAP's Sleep Guidelines: 9 to 11 hours for children ages 6-12; 8-10 hours for children; 9 to 11 hours for age of 14-17.
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The AAP's guidelines for children over 6 are fairly open-ended. Rather than specific time limits, their recommendation is to balance media use with other healthy behaviors.
Basic Responsibilities:
Completing homework before bedtime, keeping your room tidy, bathing etc.
Family Contributions (e.g. chores):
Helping to prepare family meals, setting the table, cleaning up the kitchen, taking out the trash, walking the dog, etc.
During the school year:
20 minutes or 1 short show before starting homework and one hour on weekends.
While on vacation:
One hour; more while traveling.
Eating In the bathroom In the bedroom Walking, and especially not when crossing the street! At school Dining with others In the car
except on long trips.
Doing homework
unless required to complete an assignment.
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When someone approaches you, be sure to look up from your device and give a friendly greeting. If you’re in the middle of something… let them know when you’ll be finished. Please ask permission before touching someone else’s device (including a parent's!). Consider frequency when texting your friends. Too many messages can be annoying. Now that you have the privilege of communicating with friends and family… be sure to respond to their messages in a timely manner. It doesn't have to be immediate… but generally within 24 hours. When friends come over and at social events, be mindful that the purpose is to spend time together.
Devices should be put away unless approved by a parent.
Be aware of how your device use affects others:
Wear headphones if someone finds the volume too noisy… and be sure someone doesn’t feel snubbed.
Writing anything in a text… email… or comment that you wouldn’t say in-person, or want us to see. Forwarding any communication(including photos) that might be hurtful to someone. Taking a picture or video of yourself or anyone else that could be embarrassing if ever shared publicly.
Be sure you have someone’s permission when taking a photo or video.
Sharing or giving your device to anyone without careful consideration.
You wouldn’t want someone to text, email, or post under your name.
Giving out personal information online without our permission.
This includes your name, phone number, address, birth date and credit card information.
Return your devices to the charging station at night — they need a bed time as do you. Take a break from devices for an extended period of time to do something else you enjoy. Do one screen activity at a time — multitasking on multiple devices can interfere with your ability to focus. When doing homework, minimize distractions.
Leave your phone in another room and check it on breaks.
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Your device is on loan to you. If screen time is disrupting the peace in our household or interfering with family time, then you will shut off the devices. We have set parental controls for your digital safety and well being. We expect these settings to remain active. You are responsible for knowing where your device is at all times. If out in public, do not leave it unattended. You must obtain permission from a parent before opening any new account. We will always have your account usernames and passwords. You do not have our permission to participate in online chat rooms. If a device is lost, stolen, or damaged due to your misuse or carelessness, then you:
Will be responsible for its repair and replacement.
Answer the phone when we call and respond to our text messages in a timely manner. Be respectful of other families’ rules. Always protect your device with a passcode. Use school-issued devices for the purposes of schoolwork only. Be patient — devices don’t always work perfectly, and we may not be able to fix the problem right away. Make sure your device stays charged. Put device away at least one hour before bed time —– the blue light can interfere with sleep.
Break our trust or our family rules, including the terms of this Family Agreement. Fail to uphold your responsibilities as a student and contributing family member. Fail to conduct yourself with a cooperative and respectful attitude. Change passwords. Fail to treat device(s) with care. Create accounts without our permission. You are secretive with your online activity. Change parental controls or find ways to avoid them.
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