Real-life examples of examples of creating a family media plan that actually work

Examples of creating a family media plan for different ages

When parents ask for examples of examples of creating a family media plan, what they usually want is, “Just tell me what another normal family is doing so I’m not guessing.” So let’s start with concrete, real-world style scenarios you can borrow from and tweak.

Example of a media plan for families with kids under 6

For little kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests very limited screen time and lots of co-viewing with adults. Many parents translate that into a simple, predictable rhythm.

In one family with a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old, their family media plan looks like this:

• Screens are off during meals, in the car (unless it’s a long trip), and 1 hour before bedtime.
• On weekdays, kids get one short “screen block” after school: about 30 minutes of age-appropriate shows or educational apps.
• On weekends, they can watch a movie or get up to 1 hour of games total, but only after outdoor play or a creative activity.
• All screens stay in the living room; no tablets or TVs in bedrooms.
• A parent must be nearby and often watches with them, talking about what’s happening on screen.

This is one of the best examples of keeping things simple: a few clear rules, limited time, shared spaces, and a focus on co-viewing. It respects the AAP guidance on young children and makes it easier to protect sleep and routines.

AAP’s Family Media Plan tool can help you customize rules by age and device: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Example of a media plan for grade-school kids (7–11)

As kids hit elementary school, homework, friends, and online games start to mix together. Here’s one of the real-world examples of creating a family media plan for a family with a 9-year-old and an 11-year-old:

• Weekday screen time is limited to 60–90 minutes total, including TV, gaming, and non-homework tablet use.
• Homework first, then screens. If homework is digital, it doesn’t count toward the 60–90 minutes, but fun browsing or YouTube does.
• No social media accounts yet; they can text cousins and grandparents using a shared family tablet.
• Tech-free zones: bedrooms, bathrooms, and the dining table.
• Tech-free times: during meals and 60 minutes before lights out.
• Parents check browsing history once a week and keep all passwords.

This family writes their rules on a piece of paper taped inside a kitchen cabinet. It’s not fancy, but it’s visible and consistent. Examples include specific phrases like “Screens off at 7:30 p.m. on school nights” instead of vague ideas like “Don’t stay up too late.”

Best examples of creating a family media plan for tweens and teens

Once kids hit middle school and high school, a family media plan needs more negotiation and more trust. Here are some of the best examples of how families are handling phones, social media, and late-night scrolling in 2024–2025.

Example of a smartphone and social media agreement

This example of a media plan comes from a family with a 13-year-old who just got their first phone:

• Phone hours: Phone stays on the kitchen charging station at 9 p.m. on school nights and 10:30 p.m. on weekends.
• Social media: Only two apps allowed (for example, Instagram and Snapchat), both with private accounts. Parents must approve new followers.
• Posting rules: No sharing location, school name, or photos that show the front of the house. No posting photos of friends without their permission.
• Mental health check-ins: Once a week, parent and teen talk about what they’re seeing online—drama, trends, or anything that feels stressful.
• Consequences: If homework starts slipping or sleep suffers, social media access is paused for a week while they reset.

This is one of the examples of examples of creating a family media plan that balances independence and safety. The teen has some freedom, but there are clear boundaries around privacy, sleep, and school.

For more on social media and youth mental health, see the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/youth-mental-health/index.html

Example of a gaming-focused media plan

In many homes, gaming is the main screen-time battle. Here’s how one family with a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old gamer handles it:

• School nights: No online gaming Monday–Thursday during the school year. They can play offline games for up to 45 minutes if homework is done.
• Weekends: Up to 2 hours per day of gaming, with a break every 45–60 minutes to stretch, grab water, or go outside.
• No in-game purchases without parent approval. Kids have a monthly gaming budget they can use for downloads or skins.
• Online safety: They’re only allowed to use voice chat with real-life friends. No sharing personal info in game chats.
• Family game time: Once a week, the family plays a game together—sometimes digital, sometimes a board game—to make screens more social and less isolating.

This is one of the best examples of a family media plan that doesn’t demonize gaming but still protects time for sleep, school, and offline life.

Real examples of balancing school, sleep, and screen time

Parents often worry that screens are wrecking sleep and focus—and the research backs up some of those concerns. Studies from organizations like the CDC and NIH show that too much evening screen time can interfere with sleep quality and duration.

Learn more about sleep and screens from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/index.html

Here are some real examples of creating a family media plan that put sleep and school first without starting a nightly war.

Example of a “bedtime buffer” rule

One family with a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old created a simple, household-wide rule:

• All screens off 60 minutes before bedtime.
• Devices charge overnight in the kitchen.
• Kids can read physical books, draw, or listen to music (no video) before sleep.

The parents follow the same rule, which makes it feel less like a punishment and more like a family health habit.

Example of a homework-first media routine

Another family with three kids (8, 12, and 16) built their media plan around after-school chaos:

• Everyone gets 30 minutes after school to decompress: snack, chat, or chill.
• Then it’s homework time. If homework is online, they use laptops at the dining table.
• Once homework is done and checked, kids can use screens for fun—up to 60 minutes on school nights.
• If grades drop, they temporarily cut back entertainment screen time and add a weekly check-in to review assignments.

These examples of examples of creating a family media plan show that you don’t need a complicated app or chart. A couple of clear, predictable rules can protect sleep and school without micromanaging every minute.

Examples include tech-free zones, days, and “yes” moments

Not every media rule has to be about limits. Some of the smartest examples of creating a family media plan also define when screens are welcome and when they’re not.

Example of tech-free zones at home

A common example of a family media rule is designating certain places as screen-free:

• Bedrooms are for sleep and reading, not for scrolling.
• The dining table is for meals and conversation only.
• The bathroom is screen-free (yes, even for adults).

By making the rule about spaces instead of just minutes, parents avoid constant arguing over, “But I only watched for five more minutes!”

Example of a weekly tech-free block

One family with teens who love their phones decided a full “no screens Sunday” would be a disaster. Instead, they chose a more realistic block of time:

• Every Sunday from 4–7 p.m. is tech-free for the whole family.
• They use that time for cooking together, board games, walks, or visiting friends.
• After 7 p.m., phones and tablets come back, but not at the dinner table.

This is one of the best examples of a media plan that adds connection instead of just subtracting screens.

Example of “yes” moments with screens

Healthy family media plans don’t ignore the fun side of tech. Some real examples intentionally build in “yes” moments:

• Family movie night every Friday, with one person choosing the movie each week.
• Occasional “double time” passes where kids can earn extra screen time by reading, chores, or outdoor play.
• Shared playlists or funny video nights where everyone shows their favorite (appropriate) clips.

These examples include positive screen use so kids don’t see the family media plan as a list of bans, but as a framework that also supports fun.

How to build your own plan using these examples

Now that you’ve seen multiple examples of examples of creating a family media plan, here’s a simple way to build your own, without turning it into a full-time job.

Step 1: Decide your non-negotiables

Pick 2–4 things that matter most to your family—often:

• Sleep
• Schoolwork
• Safety and privacy
• Family time

Then set clear rules that protect those. For example:

• “All screens off by 9 p.m. so everyone can sleep.”
• “Homework happens before any gaming.”
• “No devices in bedrooms overnight.”

Use the examples above as a starting point and adjust for your kids’ ages and personalities.

Step 2: List your devices and apps

Write down what your family actually uses:

• TV and streaming services
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Gaming consoles
• Laptops and school Chromebooks

Then decide simple guidelines for each. One example of this in practice:

• TV: Only in the living room, with a parent nearby for younger kids.
• Phones: Allowed for middle schoolers and up, but with nighttime charging in the kitchen.
• Gaming: Limited to certain hours and only age-appropriate games.

Step 3: Involve your kids in the plan

The best examples of creating a family media plan have kids’ input baked in. When children help set rules, they’re more likely to follow them.

Ask questions like:

• “What feels fair for school nights?”
• “How much gaming time do you think works on weekends?”
• “What should happen if someone breaks the rule?”

You still make the final call, but kids feel heard. Some families even have kids sign a simple media agreement along with parents.

Step 4: Write it down and post it

Don’t keep the rules in your head. Write them on paper or in a shared note and put them where everyone can see—fridge, bulletin board, or a family binder.

Include:

• Daily limits or routines (for example, “Screens after homework, off at 8:30 p.m.”)
• Tech-free zones and times
• Rules for social media, texting, and gaming
• What happens if rules are broken (loss of screen time, earlier bedtime, etc.)

This turns your plan from “Mom’s mood” or “Dad’s random rule” into a family agreement.

Step 5: Review and adjust regularly

Screens change. Apps change. Your kids’ needs change. The smartest examples of creating a family media plan include a built-in review.

Every few months, or at the start of a new school year, sit down and ask:

• Are these rules still working?
• Is anyone feeling overwhelmed, left out, or too restricted?
• Are grades, sleep, and mood in a good place?

Adjust as needed. Maybe your 15-year-old earns a later phone curfew, or your 9-year-old gets a bit more weekend gaming time.

For more guidance on kids and digital media, see the American Academy of Pediatrics’ media resources: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/default.aspx

FAQ: Common questions about examples of family media plans

What are some simple examples of family media rules we can start with?

Some easy starting examples include: no devices at the dinner table, all screens off an hour before bedtime, and no phones in bedrooms overnight. You can also start with one weekend movie night and one tech-free block of time each week. These small, clear rules are often more effective than complicated charts.

Can you give an example of a social media rule for teens?

One practical example of a social media rule is: “You may have two social media apps, set to private, and we must approve followers. No posting personal details like last name, school name, or location, and no posting photos of others without their permission.” This mirrors many of the best examples of family media plans that balance safety and independence.

How do we handle exceptions to our family media plan?

Build exceptions into the plan itself. For example, you might allow extra screen time on vacations, sick days, or special events like a big game or movie release. The key is that these exceptions are rare and named in advance, so kids don’t expect every day to be an exception.

What if one child needs more screen time for school than another?

Many real examples of creating a family media plan separate “school screen time” from “fun screen time.” You can say: “Homework-related screen use doesn’t count toward your daily limit, but entertainment use does.” You might also set different rules by age, as long as you explain why older kids get more freedom.

Where can I find tools to help build my own family media plan?

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers an interactive Family Media Plan tool that lets you create a customized plan by age and device: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx. You can also find research-based guidance on kids, screens, sleep, and mental health from organizations like the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov) and the National Institutes of Health (https://www.nih.gov).

Use these examples of examples of creating a family media plan as a starting point, not a script. Your home, your kids, and your schedule are different from anyone else’s. If your plan protects sleep, supports school, encourages safety, and still leaves room for fun, you’re on the right track.