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Ages 9–12: a device agreement before bed that protects sleep without a battle

A short family agreement that protects sleep and connection rather than policing every screen minute.

At this age, children benefit from clear digital boundaries, but they also need a reason they can understand and a place in shaping the agreement. A useful agreement does not reduce everything to minutes. It asks what needs to remain in the day: sleep, movement, homework, connection, and quiet time.

Write only three lines

Choose a charging time outside bedrooms, a calm reminder method, and what happens if someone forgets the agreement. Let the rule include adults where possible; modelling is stronger than a lecture.

Review the agreement, not the child

After a week, ask: “Did the charging place help us? What should we adjust?” Review makes the agreement a family tool that can improve, not a trap for punishment.

Today’s next step

Choose one shared evening charging place and try it for three nights before adding more rules.

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