In collaboration with digital well-being experts, SPC developed the first Family Digital Commitment by Age: a practical guide, organized by developmental stages, that helps parents and children establish digital habits appropriate to each child's maturity level.
Summer changes the routines of parents and children, and with more free time and fewer schedules, conversations often pushed aside during the school year arise. "Is it too early to give them a phone?" or "What if all their classmates already have a device?" are some of the questions that come up at the table and start the reflection on how technology should be introduced in the family environment.
To support families in this process, especially during the holiday period, digital well-being experts have developed, together with the SPC, the first Family Digital Commitment by Age: a guide with practical recommendations to support children's relationship with technology at each stage of their growth.
The proposal is based on an essential principle: this commitment must be assumed by the whole family. More than setting rules for the younger ones, the goal is to establish an agreement that also involves the adults. Parents should also commit to responsible technology use by adopting habits such as avoiding phone use during meals, limiting their own screen time, or prioritizing moments of mindful attention with the family.
From 6 to 10 years old: the first steps
At this stage, technology should be used occasionally and always accompanied by an adult. The device should be seen as a tool for sharing and learning within the family.
• Use the device together with the child, not just beside them. Just as you teach how to cross the street, you should also explain how to use technology safely. At this age, supervision is part of the learning process.
• Start with uses that have a concrete purpose. Listening to music, taking photos during outings, consulting maps on vacation, or identifying plants and animals are examples of activities that allow technology to be introduced usefully, in common areas of the house and for limited periods of time.
From 10 to 12 years old: they start asking for more autonomy
At this age, technology also becomes a tool for socialization. Although greater autonomy can be granted, supervision remains essential. Even during holidays, it is important to maintain balanced routines and schedules.
• Before expanding autonomy, assess the child’s level of maturity. If they can stop using them when necessary, talk naturally about what they do online, and keep up with other responsibilities, they may be ready to take the next step. More than age, maturity should guide this evolution.
• Video games and video platforms can make sense; Social networks not yet. Even if peers already use them, access to these digital environments requires critical thinking that is still developing at this stage.
• Always explain the reason for each limit. A child who understands the reason for rules is more likely to respect them. When the answer is just "because I said so," they tend to look for ways to bypass those limits.
From 12 to 14 years old: at the doorstep of social life
At this stage, the feeling of belonging to the group becomes increasingly important. Conversation becomes the main tool for guidance, above any technical control. Summer brings more time spent with friends and new digital experiences, making this a prime moment to talk about messaging groups, shared photos, and other challenges of the digital world.
• Talk, don’t spy. If teenagers feel they are being secretly watched, they stop trusting. On the contrary, when they know they can talk without fear, they naturally turn to their parents whenever they need to. At this age, trust is the best protection mechanism.
• Review together and transparently. The goal is to protect, never to spy. The difference between these approaches is clear to teenagers and directly influences the trust relationship.
• Calmly maintain limits regarding social networks. These years should serve as preparation for when access happens. It is important to talk, develop critical thinking, and build the trust necessary for this new phase.
From 14 to 16 years old: from control to trust
At this stage, autonomy is already significant, and the role of parents shifts from mainly setting limits to providing support whenever difficulties arise. Holidays also represent a good opportunity to discuss topics such as privacy, posts, geolocation, and the importance of not everything having to be shared online.
• Show trust as the teenager demonstrates maturity. Excessive control can push them away instead of protecting them. The greater the capacity for self-regulation and mutual trust, the more autonomy can be granted.
• Talk openly about social networks. From age 14, minors can legally create profiles on these platforms. Ideally, this moment should be accompanied by a conversation about privacy, digital footprint, and online safety.
• Be their safety net, not their watchdog. The most important thing is to know that you can turn to your parents when a problem arises, without fear of punishment. Less control, but more presence.
The Family Digital Commitment by Age is a guide provided by SPC for families to download, discuss, and adapt to their reality. For parents seeking devices designed to progressively and responsibly accompany children and teenagers, SPC developed the WUUM ONE, the WUUM TAB, and the parental monitoring app SPC Circles.
O SPC WUUM ONE starts by functioning as a simple music player and can gradually evolve into the child's first smartphone. This evolution is managed by parents through the SPC Circles, integrated into the device, allows activating features and apps according to the child's maturity and the family's needs.
Meanwhile, SPC WUUM TAB, an equally evolving tablet, also includes the pre-configured Circles app and was developed to provide the first digital learning and entertainment experiences.
From the initial setup of WUUM ONE or WUUM TAB, the SPC Circles app guides parents and children in defining a set of habits and device usage rules, which both commit to. Later, depending on the child's age and maturity, the app itself suggests an appropriate device configuration, developed in collaboration with digital well-being experts, which each family can accept or adapt to their reality.
Through the app, it is also possible to manage the total usage time of devices or each app, create private and secure chats, approve contacts, supervise apps, and set usage rules valid for the whole family.
