Every family is different, and every child matures at their own pace. Also, a lot of tech is used outside of parents' direct control, such as at school or with friends. But from our discussions with child safety experts, cybersecurity professionals, and parents, we've heard a few tech rules we think you should consider.  

At the end of the day, the risks are grave, including coming into contact with predators, and most of the rewards are, admittedly, somewhat frivolous—mostly entertainment, like scrolling social media or playing games like Roblox. Granted, lots of kids learn through screens and use them to find community as well as connect with family and friends. But recent studies highlight the dangers—a 2026 report from Norton, for example, found that over half of parents whose kids play chat-enabled games said their child has communicated with a stranger, and 29% said the stranger encouraged their child to continue the conversation on another platform.  

Parenting today is hard. Technology evolves quickly, kids are spending more time online than ever before, and many parents are balancing full-time jobs alongside countless family responsibilities. No one can monitor every click, tap, or conversation. That's why family tech rules matter. They provide clear expectations that help children make safer choices, even when you're not looking over their shoulders. Consider our ground rules and think about how they might work to fit your family's needs.   

Finally, remember that strict rules, prohibitions, and monitoring are not silver bullets. Kids are smart and are known for getting around parental controls and tech solutions. This is why open, ongoing, and non-judgmental conversation between kids and adults is paramount.  

These rules aren't about punishment but reducing unnecessary risk while helping children build healthy habits. Studies show that kids online today are shockingly likely to encounter:  

• Scammers and strangers who try to gain their trust, including sextortion scammers. 

• Cyberbullying or harmful online interactions, which can be as dangerous as the violent online network 764. 

• Oversharing personal information that can put their privacy or safety at risk. 

• Inappropriate or adult content. 

• Excessive screen time that can interfere with sleep, schoolwork, and family time. 

No set of rules can eliminate every risk. But thoughtful boundaries, paired with ongoing conversations, can make a huge difference. 

1. Delay a smartphone until adulthood, or close to it 

A smartphone gives kids access to the entire internet, social media, private messaging, and countless apps. We recommend waiting until at least age 16 to 18 before buying your child one. And yes, as tablets are basically bigger smartphones, we recommend not letting your child have their own tablet that's always available to them. If your child primarily needs a way to contact you, consider a basic "dumb" phone or smartwatch before a full-featured smartphone.  

2. Keep devices out of bedrooms at night 

Create a household charging station in a common area where everyone's phones, tablets, and laptops stay overnight. This can also be a rule for the parents! This simple rule will reduce late-night scrolling, improve sleep, and make it less likely kids will feel pressured to respond to messages after bedtime. Keeping devices out of bedrooms reduces the opportunity for risky online interactions. When children are alone late at night, they're more vulnerable to manipulation, including scams, inappropriate conversations, and sextortion attempts, all of which rely on secrecy. Charging devices outside the bedroom creates a natural pause until morning and encourages kids to come to a trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable. 

3. Device time in shared spaces 

If your kids have devices, make a rule that using computers, laptops, tablets, and gaming systems must be done in common areas like the living room or kitchen. Think of it as recreating a pre-Wi-Fi world, where the family computer didn't move, and the gaming console had to be hooked up to the TV. Implementing this rule both limits the time kids can spend on devices and adds a level of parental surveillance. Being nearby doesn't mean constant shoulder-surfing. It creates opportunities for conversation and makes it easier to notice if something seems off. 

4. No downloads without permission 

Every time your kid wants to try a new game or app outside of school requirements, teach them that they need to check with you first. At this point, you can research it together, evaluate the risks, and, if you want to approve the download, understand what privacy settings to set up. We recommend looking up apps and games on Common Sense Media and ESRB. Know2Protect and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) are other great resources.   

5. Never share real information  

Teach kids that personal information, including their full name, school, address, phone number, daily routine, and location, should never be shared online. Review privacy settings together on games, apps, and social media accounts so they understand who can see their information and why those settings matter. Keep in mind that, in general, young children aren't developmentally ready to consistently protect personal information. It's very easy to accidentally mention a real name, location, or a school mascot. Because of this, we recommend not letting young children use any platform or game that involves interacting with others online until you feel they're ready, which might mean their teenage years. And that's fine!  

6. Talk about red flags, and keep the conversation ongoing 

Make conversations about scams, cyberbullying, online grooming, and inappropriate requests a normal part of family life. Every week or so, ask about what's going on when they use their devices, what content they're consuming, and how they feel. The goal isn't to scare kids. It's to make sure they know they can come to you if something online feels confusing or uncomfortable. 

7. Model the Habits You Want to See 

Kids notice what adults do. If parents put phones away during meals, talk about their online habits, and unplug before bed, children are more likely to adopt those habits themselves. 

8. Talk to other parents 

Your family's tech rules don't exist in a vacuum. When your child spends time at their friends' houses, it's worth having a quick conversation with other parents about the technology expectations in their home. Will devices be supervised? Are kids allowed to use social media or online games? Is screen time limited? 

These conversations don't have to be awkward or judgmental. You're simply looking out for your child, just like asking about food allergies or whether a parent will be home. The more families communicate about technology expectations, the easier it is to create safer online experiences for everyone. Get a conversation going with other parents in your community, and you can include your school. For more online safety tips, sign up for the free NCA newsletter!