Family media plans: Develop healthier tech habits together with a family media plan

Building healthier digital habits starts at home and involves the whole family

Giving your child their first phone is more than a milestone—it’s a turning point. It’s not just about calls, texts, and selfies anymore. Smartphones open up a world of information, creativity, connection—and yes, also potential distractions and risks. That’s why more families are turning to family media plans, family tech agreements, or family tech contracts to set expectations, build trust and develop healthy habits together as a family.

A family media plan is a simple but powerful tool: it outlines how your family uses technology, when and where it’s appropriate, and what the boundaries and responsibilities for parents and kids alike. Think of it as a digital roadmap that grows with your child. Just like teaching them to ride a bike or cross the street safely, guiding them through the digital landscape is part of raising confident, capable young people.

Introducing a family media plan when your child gets their first smartphone helps build mutual understanding. It turns screen time rules into conversations, and rules into values. Instead of setting limits for them, you’re setting healthy boundaries with them. That’s the first step toward digital independence—and lifelong tech responsibility.

In this post we look at what a family media plan is, why they might be a good idea for your family, some topics to think about including in a plan for your family, and some tips on how to create your own family media plan.

Why should you consider creating a family media?

Family media plans are about guidance, not control. As your child grows, their relationship with technology becomes more personal—and sometimes more complicated. From social media to streaming, group chats to gaming, every tap, swipe, and post comes with new responsibilities. A family media plan gives your child a framework to navigate these digital experiences with care, confidence, and self-awareness.

But this isn’t just about screen time. It’s about values: how we treat others online, how we protect our privacy, how we stay present in the real world. A tech contract opens the door to conversations that matter—like what to do if your child sees something upsetting online, or how to recognize when it’s time to take a break. These conversations are easier when they’re part of an ongoing plan, not just a response to a problem.

And for parents? A media plan is peace of mind. It sets expectations early, helps prevent conflict later, and gives you a shared language to talk about technology. With parental controls built into phones like the HMD Fusion, a family plan can be supported by smart features that give you oversight—while still giving your child the space to grow.

How to create a family media plan or family tech/media contract?

Make it a conversation, not a lecture. A family media plan - or sometimes called a family media or tech contract if it’s a more formal agreement – is a great way to open up a discussion with your family about your tech use and how it makes you feel. It can encourage intentional use of devices and help set healthy boundaries in a clear manner that everyone can agree on and everyone can be refer back to later. It is also a great tool for family collaboration that can promote open communication about healthier online habits.

Creating a media plan doesn't have to be formal or complicated. Start by talking openly about how your family uses technology. What apps or games are okay? Are phones allowed at the dinner table? How much screen time feels healthy during school days? Let your child contribute to the conversation—it shows that you respect their voice and builds buy-in from the start.

Next, write it down together. This can be a printed agreement, a handwritten note on the fridge, or a shared digital document. The format isn’t what matters—the clarity is. Agree on what happens if rules aren’t followed (gently and fairly), and review the plan regularly to adjust it as your child grows or as technology changes.

A family media plan is not only a helpful tool, but an important one. It is a way to promote health and wellbeing for your children/family by setting clear and consistent expectations around technology use. It encourages healthier digital habits, balancing screen time with sleep, physical activities, school and other social endeavors. It can also act as a proactive tool for trying to avoid online risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content and technology overuse.

What should I put in my family media contract?

Cover the basics—and tailor it to your family’s personalities and values. You can start by keeping your family media contract simple – cover only the basics or main topics that are relevant for your family. You can always add to it later. When putting together your family media contract here are a few different topics you can include:

• Screen time rules – Daily or weekly time limits based on age and family routines. Decide how much daily or weekly screen time feels healthy for your child, especially on school days vs. weekends. You might also want to set specific time blocks (e.g., no phones before school or after 9 p.m.) to support better focus and sleep habits.
• Device screen-free zones and times – Identify moments that should be screen-free for the whole family—like dinner time, family outings, or bedtime. These shared boundaries help reinforce presence and connection. Include specific zones or environments where the family agrees not to phones (e.g. at the dinner table or when out at a restaurant)
• Privacy and safety rules – Include reminders about keeping personal information private—no sharing full names, addresses, schools, or phone numbers online without checking with a parent. You may also want to include agreements around passwords or location sharing. Agreements to let each other know if you see or learn something online makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and how to talk about it.
• App and game guidelines – Discuss and include things like what types of apps or games are okay to download? Which apps on a device are okay to use, and which need permission before using.
• Social media and messaging – If your child is old enough to use messaging or social media, set age-appropriate boundaries. Who can they connect with? What types of posts or pictures are okay to share? You might even agree to follow or friend each other, if that feels comfortable.
• Earning trust and privileges – Consider including a section on how your child can earn more independence over time. As they build trust and demonstrate responsibility, they may be allowed longer screen time, more app freedom, or reduced parental controls.
• Consequences (and second chances) – Make consequences clear, fair, and consistent—whether that’s reducing screen time or a temporary app freeze. But also leave room for forgiveness, learning, and resetting the plan together.
• Fun optional extras – Having a family tech goal for everyone (e.g. one tech free night a week) or agreeing on dedicated time together offline or outside to make sure everyone knows when it’s time to unplug. The goal is to build habits together, not enforce rules from above.

The amazing thing about the tech contract is that it is completely customizable to fit your lifestyle and the boundaries that you feel are best for your family.

Developing the plan together: the importance of family and parent + teen collaboration

Parent-teen collaboration is essential when creating a family media plan because it fosters open communication, mutual respect, and a sense of shared responsibility. When teenagers are included in the decision-making process, they are more likely to understand the reasoning behind the rules and take ownership of their digital behavior.

This collaborative approach also allows parents to gain insight into their teen’s online world, address any concerns together, and create boundaries that reflect the values and needs of the whole family.

Tips to help your family stick to your plan

Consistency, communication, and compassion are key. Even the best media plan won’t work if it’s left in a drawer. The real impact comes from how you use it together, day by day. Here are some practical tips to help you reinforce your family tech agreement—and make it a lasting part of your parenting approach.

1. Lead by example. Kids are always watching. If you want your child to unplug during meals or avoid screens before bed, show them what that looks like. Model healthy habits by putting your phone away during family time and taking tech breaks yourself. It sends a powerful message: these aren’t just kid rules—they’re family values.
2. Use technology to support the plan. Our HMD Fusion X1 offers built-in tools that can help enforce your agreement. Set screen time limits, approve app downloads, or use location tracking features if that’s part of your contract. These tools aren’t about surveillance—they’re about helping your child stay on track and giving you both peace of mind.
3. Check in regularly, not just when something goes wrong. Don’t wait for a problem to revisit the plan. Set up regular check-ins—maybe once a month or at the start of each school term—to talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how your child is feeling about their digital life. Celebrate when they’re making good choices, and adjust expectations as they grow.
4. Be consistent—but stay flexible. Enforcing a plan doesn’t mean being rigid. Life happens: homework piles up, family trips come along, or your child wants a bit more screen time during school holidays. That’s okay. Stick to the core rules, but allow room for reasonable exceptions—and always talk them through together.
5. Keep the conversation open. The best tech contracts grow with your child. As they become more independent, invite them to take more responsibility and update the plan with their input. This keeps the agreement relevant, respectful, and realistic—and helps build the trust you both need.

Enforcing the contract can be hard at times, especially when met with initial resistance. Pairing your contract with a device that helps you keep your boundaries front of mind may be a good idea, especially with your teen’s first smartphone.

Consider the HMD Fusion X1 with parental controls

The HMD Fusion X1 is a smartphone with software deep boundaries that can be controlled directly from the parent’s own phone. Set screen time limits, app downloads and who can/cannot contact your teen from your phone. These settings cannot be overridden from the teen’s device and encourages digital openness. However, if your teen feels they need a new app or some extra screen time, they can request it from their phone to be approved on your phone.