We live in what has quickly become a digital age. iPhones, TikTok, and Nintendo are words even the youngest children know, and disagreements about our teenagers and technology pop up daily.
So how do we teach responsibility and boundaries to our kids when it comes to life online?
We’ve talked about our rules for parenting in the digital age and some guidelines for Teens and Cell Phones.
But don’t forget, it all starts with us and how we model boundaries with our own electronics.
If teenagers and technology have you feeling stressed or you need help talking about this issue to your children – you’re in the right place.
A few years back, Jim Byrne and the Youth staff at The Falls Church put together some super helpful Guidelines for Parents, Teenagers and Technology and they’ve allowed us to share them with you!
Prefer the printable version of this guide? Download it FREE right here.
5 Best Technology Guidelines for Your Teen
These five house rules for teenagers and technology will help you bring order and peace to your home.
1. Set the example.
Parents, you will model the guidelines you would like your teen to practice. Limit the amount of time YOU spend watching TV, using cell phones in the house, texting, or accessing the internet.
2. Establish clear and consistent expectations early for technology use.
• Restrict recreational computer/TV use to a set amount of time. (30-60 minutes per day: this does not count towards any school related assignments).
• Be aware of what TV shows your teens and children are watching: watch TV shows with teens.
• Establish a “No Zone Time” where no one in family uses cell phones, TV, computer, iPods, etc for a two hour block of time (including the dinner hour). Designate this as family time.
• Provide cell phones with clear conditions and expectations.
• Turn in your cell phones at a specific time and charge them in a parent’s room at night. Any texts/pictures could be viewed by parents.
• Place computer in an open, central living area such as a family room or kitchen. If teens have laptops, parents can have full access to laptop at any time. Parents could also designate a time when the laptop is turned off.
• Use available parental internet filtering applications and programs on all your kids’ computers (see additional resources).
3. Suggestions for Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat
• Restrict access to all of these platforms until high school.
• Inform and caution teens of how public and accessible these platforms are to everyone… even ones like Snapchat where it seems your content will “disappear.”
• Adjust Instagram privacy settings to the highest level of security so that only friends can see their profile, pictures, and videos.
• Inform teens not to post contact information on profile: Phone number, address, etc.
• Only post information that you would want parents and the Lord to see: No cursing.
• Monitor the pictures and videos your child uploads to sites like Instagram and Tik Tok.
• Make sure you have your OWN account on these platforms and that you know how to use them. ‘Follow’ your child. Make sure to inform your teen that you’re doing this. You also need access to their user name and password as it is possible for them to post content that you can’no’t see even if you are their ‘friend.’ One parent we heard recently reserved the right to unfriend and block any of their child’s friends they thought questionable from their child’s account.
4. Computer, Video Games, iPads
• Be selective in the electronic games you allow your teen to use. (See Additional Resources, for video game reviews.)
• Many gaming systems (Including HANDHELD ones Nintendo Switch) can access the internet freely without parental controls and filters.
• Most teens are listening to music through apps like Spotify and Apple Music. Make use of those platform’s parental controls.
• Consider having a shared family iPad rather than individual one. Make use of parental control apps.
• E-Readers like the Nook and Kindle Fire can access the internet from any available wireless hotspot. Additional browser apps can be downloaded to these devices.
• No matter what wireless device your child has, you need to become very familiar with it and let your child know that you will be reviewing their activity.
5. Manners and technology
• Because of the abundance of technology available to our children, it’s easy for them to grow up lacking social skills because they are always communicating via cell phones or computers. Therefore discourage the use of computers when visiting in one another’s homes and encourage more social interaction. For example, games, conversation, etc.
• Avoid talking on your cell phone or texting while visiting with someone else. It’s simply rude.
• Teach children to be present with people they are with.
Additional Resources for Parents
Bark App – Smart Digital Safety for Families
Bark is a leading parental control solution designed to help families navigate online life in a balanced, faith-aligned way. The app uses powerful AI to monitor texts, emails, and over 30 social media platforms—identifying risks like cyberbullying, self-harm, explicit content, or predatory behavior—and alerts parents only when needed. It also includes robust features to help manage screen time, block websites and apps, and enable real-time location tracking through GPS check-ins.
Families can also opt for Bark-branded devices—like the Bark Phone and Bark Watch—which come with built-in monitoring and tamper-resistant controls. Learn more about Bark right here.
Qustodio – All-in-One Parental Control & Digital Well‑Being App
Qustodio helps parents safeguard kids’ online lives with a robust, user‑friendly toolkit. It offers content and app filtering, screen-time limits, and safe browsing on multiple platforms. Parents can monitor activity in real time, schedule screen-free routines, track location, and receive reports and alerts for web browsing, calls, SMS, and YouTube usage. You can find out more right here.
Media Safety Resources:
• Focus on the Family Plugged In Online reviews of movies, videos, music, TV shows, and all types of electronic games (PC, X-Box, Play Station, and Wii)