End the screen time war — with a contract.

Research shows that children who participate in creating rules are 3x more likely to follow them compared to imposed rules. The family meeting script specifically includes asking each child to contribute one rule or modification — giving them ownership. They're not following YOUR rules; they're following THEIR agreement. Will they test boundaries? Yes. But 'that's what you signed' is a much easier conversation than inventing rules on the fly.

The AAP guidelines: under 2: avoid screen media except video calls. Ages 2-5: 1 hour/day of high-quality content. Ages 6-12: consistent limits, typically 1-2 hours of recreational screen time. Ages 13+: focus on balance rather than strict minutes. But the AI adds nuance — creative screen time (making videos, coding) is different from passive scrolling, and the contract distinguishes between them.

Yes — and it's the single biggest predictor of whether the contract works. If you scroll your phone at dinner but ban theirs, the contract dies. Parent rules don't have to match kids' rules (adults can stay up later), but visible hypocrisy kills compliance. The contract includes reasonable parent commitments: phone-free meals, present during family time, and modeling the behavior you expect.

The teen version is framed as a 'digital agreement' — more like a roommate agreement than a parental decree. It focuses on privileges that come with responsibility (later bedtime screen access, social media, gaming budget) rather than restrictions. Teens respond to autonomy with accountability, not rules for rules' sake. The AI adjusts tone and framing for teen buy-in.

School-related screen time (Chromebook for homework, educational apps assigned by teachers, research) is typically excluded from recreational limits. The contract clearly defines what 'counts' as screen time and what doesn't. Video calls with grandparents, family movie night, and educational content can also be categorized separately — the AI helps you define these boundaries.