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Family Tech Pact
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About
TDC
The Digital Childhood
A tool for parents navigating tech
I built this because when a hard tech moment happened with my kids, I could not find what I actually needed: the exact words to say. Not a lecture. Not a list of rules. Just calm, clear language for the moments when your kid says something about tech and you freeze.
When a hard moment happens, open TDC.
It tells you what it means.
It gives you the exact words to say back.
It shows you what to do next.
"You do not have to do this alone. And you do not have to have all the answers."
Know a parent who could use this?
Practice Mode
Practice Mode
1
Your child says something. You respond.
2
Get gentle coaching after each reply.
3
3 rounds. No judgment. Just practice.
Who are you practicing with?
Or type your own topic
Or pick a stage:
Coach
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Digital Roadmap
Every stage has a playbook.
Know what is happening, what to do, and what is coming next.
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Our Stories
From our Family & Yours. Real moments navigating tech in real time together. Shared so you feel less alone in yours.
Our Story
She explained AI better than I ever could
"You're the doctor. AI is the nurse."
Our Story
My daughter asked to talk to ChatGPT at bedtime. Here's what I said.
The conversation that changed how I explain AI
Our Story
My daughter asked to download an AI 'chat friend' she saw in a kids' game ad
She was curious. Not lonely. Here's what that taught me.
Our Story
I asked my kids' teachers if paper-and-pencil could be an option
After reading the research, I made a small choice.
Schools & Policy
The conversation about screens has moved into classrooms. Here's what's happening, and what you can do about it.
The Phone-Free School Movement
More than 90% of US parents support phone bans in schools. Dozens of states now have laws on the books.
The research is consistent: phone-free schools see reduced anxiety, more peer interaction, better sleep, and higher attendance. Students also report feeling less left out when phones aren't visible.
What to look for: Has your child's school published a phone policy? Does it apply during the full school day, or just during class time? Storage policies (lockers, pouches) make the biggest difference.
Smartphone Free Childhood US
Parent-led movement to make phone-free childhood the norm. Find your local chapter, join a school campaign, and download slide decks + evidence packs to present to your school.
Join the movement →
Schools Beyond Screens
Research-backed resources for school administrators and parent advocates. Case studies, policy templates, and the latest data on phone-free outcomes.
Visit schoolsbeyondscreens.org →
AI in Classrooms
Schools are adopting AI faster than any policy can keep up with.
In 2025, Fairfax County Public Schools launched a pilot giving students access to OpenAI tools. Many districts are now making district-wide decisions about ChatGPT, AI writing tools, and EdTech platforms, often without much parent input.
The question isn't whether AI belongs in education. It's whether our children are learning to think first, or to prompt first.
Questions to ask your child's school
· Does your school have an AI use policy for students?
· Are teachers trained to detect AI-generated work?
· What AI tools (if any) are approved for student use?
· Can parents opt their child out of EdTech data collection?
· Is paper-and-pencil still an option for assignments?
Script: "But AI said it was true"
When your child cites AI as a source, the exact words to help them think critically about where information comes from.
Read the script →
State & National Legislation
Legislative momentum is building fast.
Phone bans in schools: California, Florida, Virginia, Indiana and others have passed laws restricting student phone use. More states follow each session.
Social media age restrictions: Several states now require age verification for social media accounts, with ongoing federal legislation in progress.
Children's online privacy: COPPA updates and state-level children's data privacy bills are expanding protections beyond the original 1998 law.
Screen Sanity Tools
Parent Night Kit, group study guides, and resources for hosting community conversations about screens and legislation.
Get the toolkit →
What Parents Can Do
Your action checklist
✓ Ask your school for their current phone policy in writing
✓ Find out if your district has an AI use policy for students
✓ Join or start a parent group around phone-free childhood
✓ Sign the Delay Manifesto at protectyoungeyes.com
✓ Share TDC scripts with your child's teacher
✓ Attend a school board meeting and raise these questions
Sign the Delay Manifesto
A growing coalition of parents committed to delaying smartphones and social media. Add your name and share it with other families at your school.
Sign at protectyoungeyes.com →
Script: AI for homework
The conversation most parents need right now: when your child wants to use ChatGPT for their schoolwork.
Read the script →
Family Tech Pact
Build your family's tech pact.
Not a list of rules. A pact your family creates together. Tap the ones that matter to your household, then share it with your kids.
Device Boundaries
Social Media & Apps
Safety & Communication
Parents Model It Too
Add Your Own
Your Family Pact
Family Signatures
Help Me With...
What are you dealing with?
Pick a struggle. We will pull together everything you need: the right script, the tech explanation, and the best resources.
Tech overwhelm
New apps, AI tools, and tech you don't fully understand yet.
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Social media pressure
Everyone has it. They want it. You're not sure.
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AI and new tech
ChatGPT, AI friends, tools you don't understand yet.
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The first phone decision
When, what kind, what rules, what to expect.
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Feeling like the only one
Other parents don't seem worried. You feel isolated.
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Tech in their school
Chromebooks all day, AI in the classroom, no say in it.
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Screen-Free Fun
Screen-Free Fun
Real activities your kids will actually want to do.
School Toolkit
Bring it to your school.
Everything you need to start the conversation at your child's school. Talking points, research summaries, and sample letters you can use at PTA meetings, parent nights, or in an email to your principal.
Talking Points
The research is clear: Phone free schools see measurable improvement in student wellbeing, focus, and peer connection. Here's what you can share:
1. Students in phone free schools report less anxiety and better sleep. 2. Academic performance improves, especially for students who were struggling. 3. Cyberbullying incidents drop when phones leave the hallways. 4. 90%+ of US parents support phone restrictions during school hours. 5. Students themselves often report relief once the norm is set for everyone.
Sample Letter to Your Principal
Dear [Principal's Name],
I am writing as a parent of a student at [School Name] to express my support for implementing a phone free policy during school hours. Research consistently shows that removing phones from the school environment improves student focus, reduces anxiety, and strengthens peer relationships.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this at an upcoming PTA meeting or parent forum. Many families in our community feel the same way, and I believe a school wide approach would have broad support.
I am happy to share additional research or connect you with other schools that have successfully implemented similar policies.
Thank you for your time and leadership.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
PTA Meeting Agenda
Suggested 15 minute agenda item:
2 min: Share why this matters to your family 5 min: Present the research (use talking points above) 3 min: Show what other schools are doing 5 min: Open it up: "How many of you feel the same way?"
Tip: You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to start the conversation.
Helpful Resources
Schools & Policy Hub
Legislation tracker, AI policy questions, and more.
→
Start a Friend Group Pact
Coordinate with families you actually know.
→
Family Tech Pact Builder
Create your household's tech pact together.
→
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Where are they with tech?
Pick everything that sounds like your kid right now.
Early Years
They watch screens but don't have their own device
Middle Years
Tablets, YouTube, gaming — starting to explore
Phone Years
First phone decisions and conversations
Algorithm Years
Social media, AI tools, and online pressure
Independence Years
Mostly managing their own digital life
Your biggest challenges
What keeps you up at night? We will start here.
Social media pressure
Tech overwhelm
AI & homework
Gaming & in-game spending
First phone
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Daily reminders
A quick nudge to check in
Evening reflection
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Weekly progress
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TDC Pact Milestone
5 families in. The norm just shifted.
Research shows 5 families in the same friend group is the tipping point. You did it. Share your win — because this is how change actually spreads.