Screen Time Agreement Template
A screen time agreement is a one-page document that lists when the computer can be used, for how long, what is allowed, what is off limits and when the rules will be reviewed. The three templates below are ready to print for ages 6–10, 11–13 and 14–17.
Most families do not need a complicated contract. They need a short document that both people remember, and a review date so the rules can change as the child grows. Pick the template that fits, print it, and fill in the blanks together.
Which template should I use?
| Age | School-day limit | Weekend limit | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–10 | 1 hour | 2 hours | Simple rules, parent sets the schedule, bedtime is fixed. |
| 11–13 | 1.5 hours | 2.5 hours | Homework first, more choice of games, first privacy promises. |
| 14–17 | 2 hours | 3 hours | More autonomy, self-managed breaks, the teen helps set the rules. |
These numbers are starting points, not medical advice. Every family is different. The important part is that the child knows the rules and can ask for a change.
Template for ages 6–10
Use short sentences and a picture-like schedule. At this age the parent sets most of the rules, but the child can choose which game or video comes first.
Our Family Computer Agreement
We are a family. The computer is for learning, games and talking to people we know. These are our rules. They are not a secret, and we can talk about them.
1. How long
On school days I can use the computer for 1 hour. On weekends and holidays I can use it for 2 hours. The timer is visible, so I know how much time is left.
2. When
I use the computer after homework and after I have been outside or played. On school days the computer is off at 20:30.
3. School first
Homework and school tasks come before games and videos. If I need the computer for school, that time does not count as game time.
4. What I can do
- School websites and homework
- Video calls with family and friends
- Learning games and drawing or music apps
- Games after homework, when a parent says yes
5. What is not allowed
- Adult content and gambling sites
- Social networks during the school week
- Installing new apps without asking
- Using the computer when I am supposed to be asleep
6. What the parent promises
- I will give a 10-minute warning before the time is up.
- I will listen when you ask for more time.
- I will not read your messages or take secret screenshots.
- I will explain a rule before I change it.
7. When the time is up
The screen locks until the next day. Extra time is not automatic, but you can ask, and we will talk about it.
8. Review
We will read this agreement together in one month. If a rule is not working, we will change it.
Template for ages 11–13
At this age the child wants more choice and more privacy. Keep the limits clear, but let them decide how to spend the time inside the limit.
Family Screen Time Agreement
We want the computer to be useful and not a source of arguments. This agreement is our plan. We both know the rules, and we can change them at the review.
1. Daily time
On school days the limit is 1.5 hours. On weekends and holidays it is 2.5 hours. Time used for schoolwork does not count toward the limit.
2. When
Homework comes first. On school days the computer is for schoolwork until 17:00; after that it is free time inside the limit. All screens stop at 21:00.
3. What I can do
- Schoolwork, video calls and learning apps
- Games and videos after homework
- Creative apps: drawing, music, coding
- Social networks after homework, inside the daily limit
4. What is off limits
- Adult content, gambling and betting sites
- Installing apps or browser extensions without asking
- Using someone else's account to get around the limit
- Disabling the timer or the family filter
5. What the parent promises
- I will give a warning before the time is up.
- I will listen to a request for more time and answer the same day.
- I will not read private messages or take secret screenshots.
- I will review the rules with you instead of changing them without warning.
6. When the time is up
The screen locks. You can ask for 15 extra minutes once a day; the answer is up to the parent. Extra time is a decision, not a right.
7. Review
We will review this agreement in one month. Either of us can ask for an earlier review.
Template for ages 14–17
Teenagers need more autonomy and a bigger say in the rules. The agreement should focus on responsibilities and consequences, not on minute-by-minute control.
Family Screen Time Agreement
You are old enough to manage more of your own time. This agreement is about responsibilities, not surveillance. We both sign it, and we both can ask for a review.
1. Daily time
On school days the guideline is 2 hours of leisure screen time. On weekends and holidays it is 3 hours. Schoolwork, coding projects and video calls do not count toward the guideline.
2. When
Homework and family commitments come first. On school nights all screens stop at 22:00. On weekends the family agrees on the evening plan together.
3. Responsibilities
- Keep schoolwork on schedule before leisure time.
- Take a short break at least every hour.
- Tell a parent if something online feels wrong or unsafe.
- Do not install apps or extensions that hide activity from the family.
4. What is off limits
- Adult content, gambling and betting sites
- Using a VPN or another account to bypass the family filter
- Disabling the timer or the filter
- Sharing personal information with strangers
5. What the parent promises
- I will not read your private messages or take secret screenshots.
- I will respect your privacy as long as the rules are followed.
- I will discuss a change before making it.
- I will treat a request for more time as a normal conversation.
6. When the time is up
The screen locks. We will talk the next day about whether the limit fits your schedule. Repeated bypassing leads to a new conversation and, if needed, a stricter rule.
7. Review
We will review this agreement in one month, then every three months. Either of us can ask for an earlier review.
How to fill in the template
- Start with one page. If the agreement is longer than the child will read, it will not work.
- Use numbers, not adjectives. “One hour on school days” is clearer than “not too much”.
- Write down what the parent promises. The agreement is not only for the child. A warning before the lock and a real answer to a request make the rules feel fair.
- Set a review date. Without a review, the agreement becomes a museum piece. A month is a good first interval.
- Print two copies. One for the child, one for the parent. Put one near the computer.
Questions
What is the best age to start a screen time agreement?
Around age 6, when the child starts using a computer for games or school. Start with one or two rules, then add more as the child gets older.
How many hours of screen time should a child have?
There is no single number that fits every family. A common starting point is 1 hour on school days and 2 hours on weekends for ages 6–10, with more flexibility for teenagers. The agreement matters more than the exact number.
Should the child sign the agreement?
A signature makes it feel shared, not imposed. Do not force it. If the child refuses, ask which rule they would change and start there.
Can I edit the printable template?
Yes. Print it and write on it, or use the free generator to fill in names, limits and rules before saving it as a PDF.
Make the rules visible on the PC
ScreenRhythm shows the child the countdown and lets them ask for more time. The free plan covers daily limits, breaks and the schedule.
ScreenRhythm is our product. We describe it alongside built-in Windows options and other apps honestly. This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.