What Are Some Common Forms of Digital Parenting Plans?
Although a digital parenting plan can cover any type of issue that parents feel needs to be included, there are some common core issues and components of digital parenting plans, which are discussed below.
Virtual Visitation and Communication
A digital parenting plan may address how a child can communicate with a co-parent virtually. This can include creating a schedule, having platform preferences, such as FaceTime, and making rules for messaging or video calls.
Screen Time and Content Rules
To ensure consistency when co-parenting, parents may want to include screen time limits and content rules for their child. This may mean having daily screen time limits, device-free zones, such as the dinner table or bedroom, and setting age-appropriate game or app rating limits.
Social Media and Safety Protocols
It is important to try to keep children safe any time they are online, especially when using social media. Implementing safety protocols in a digital parenting plan can help.
This can be done by setting age milestones for when a child may create social media profiles and providing guidelines for their online behavior and privacy settings.
Device Ownership and Costs
Another important aspect of a digital parenting plan is the cost of the technology itself. Parents can choose to allocate financial responsibility for purchasing expensive phones, gaming systems, and subscription costs.
What Are Some Legal Issues Associated With Digital Parenting Plans?
There may be some legal issues related to digital parenting plans, such as a lack of enforceability for minor rules, disputes related to tracking devices, conflicts about online photo sharing, and different household technology standards.
Lack of Enforceability
A court is often reluctant to enforce day-to-day rules, such as screen time limits, unless there is a clear threat to a child’s welfare. If the agreement contains broad language, it can result in disputes and outdated language as the child grows or technology changes.
Privacy and Surveillance Issues
There may be issues or disputes related to using items such as smartwatches or AirTags that track children when they go to a co-parent’s home, as it may be viewed as spying on the other parent’s time. Issues may arise if a co-parent withholds or damages a tracker or other technological device provided by the other parent. There may also be disputes related to privacy during communications with the co-parent.
Posting Content Online and Technology Rules
There may be disagreements regarding whether parents are allowed to post photos of or information about a child on their personal social media accounts. A dispute may also arise if a co-parent purchases a piece of technology, such as a smartphone, or grants a child social media access without getting consent from the other parent, or there are variations in limits between homes.
What Are Co-Parenting Apps and How Do They Help?
Co-parenting apps are applications that are designed to help parents who are separated or divorced manage aspects of raising their child or children in one place. These types of apps can include many different pieces of information and helpful communication tools, such as:
- A shared calendar to track custody schedules, appointments, events, holidays, and any important dates
- Expense trackers where parents can log child-related costs, make financial reimbursement requests, and upload documents or receipts
- Secure messaging where parents can send messages that cannot be edited or deleted, which encourages polite communication
- Information storage where parents can access information about the child, such as medical records, school contacts, and insurance cards
The information provided and stored in these types of apps can also be used in court, as they provide logs of documents and communication should a dispute arise.
What Are Family Media Contracts?
Family media contracts are written agreements between children and their parents that outline rules for using technological items, such as tablets, phones, computers, and video games. These contracts can help manage a child’s screen time, provide a guideline for safe online behavior, and establish boundaries so that children can use technology in a safe and productive way.
Key Parts of a Media Contract
A media contract can contain any issues or agreement parents and children deem important. Key parts of a media contract often include:
- Setting daily or weekly time limits for fun technology use
- Times and locations where technology is not allowed, such as at the dinner table or the child’s bedroom at night
- Agreeing to keep private information private
- Agreeing not to engage in cyberbullying
- What content and ratings are approved, such as applications, websites, and video game ratings
- Providing clear outlines of the consequences of what will happen when an agreement rule is broken
It can be helpful to explain that rules are in place for the child’s safety to avoid social media crimes, data privacy violations, and other issues that they may not realize can be related to using online platforms.
How to Co-Parent Around Technology Without Constant Conflict
Parents can take steps to co-parent around technology without having constant conflicts. Younger children will require closer monitoring as they grow and learn about technology and safe habits. As they grow older, co-parents can work together to make decisions regarding limits and rules for their children, for example, with digital parenting plans.
Of course, a parent may not see every single thing their child does online. It is important to have open communication regarding technology, why online safety is important, and the consequences of not following the technology rules set by parents, not just in the household, but in the real world, such as identity theft, stalking, cyberbullying, and other issues.
How Can an Attorney Help Me With a Digital Parenting Plan?
An attorney can assist in many different ways with a digital parenting plan and how to co-parent. They can help parents create an agreement that contains written and clear rules for social media use, screen time, and online privacy.
A lawyer can also include a digital parenting plan in a legally binding custody agreement. Having an attorney’s assistance can help protect an individual’s parental rights as well as prevent future issues and disputes involving technology.
Lawyers can include specific rules for apps, devices, and online check-ins as well as the consequences for when these rules are broken. A lawyer will also ensure that the technology agreement rules do not take away a parent’s legal rights and that the plan follows the state’s family court rules and requirements.
A lawyer can help a family make important decisions about the details of their plan, such as hours from screen time limits, ages for social media account use, when to use location-sharing apps, and determining who is allowed to view pictures of the children online. Lawyers can also help same-sex parents with any questions or concerns they may have about same-sex parenting plans.
An attorney can also be helpful if a data breach occurs on a platform where a child is a member to determine what information may have been compromised and what steps to take under applicable privacy, data security, or communications laws.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for Help with a Digital Parenting Plan Issue?
Yes, it can be very helpful to hire an attorney for help with a digital parenting plan, whether you would like assistance creating a plan or already have a plan you would like a lawyer to review. A family lawyer can ensure your plan is enforceable, complies with any state requirements, and protects your rights as a parent.
You can use the free lawyer-client matching services that LegalMatch provides to locate a family attorney in your area who can help you resolve any parenting-plan-related issue you may have. Having help from an attorney will ensure you avoid future conflicts and issues as well as help you create a plan that works for you as a parent.
