But here’s the good news: like anything, the best approach is one foot in front of the other. These worksheets and checklists are designed to help you do exactly that. You’ll also find conversation starters throughout the book to kick off discussions with your children, their teachers, neighbors, and anyone else who’s figuring this out alongside you.

I hope you find these resources helpful as you navigate this new terrain with your family. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Smart Account Setup

Setting up AI accounts for your kids can feel like walking a tightrope. On one side, you want them to have access to tools that can genuinely help with learning and creativity. On the other hand, you’re rightfully concerned about privacy, safety, and whether they’re ready for the responsibility that comes with these digital platforms. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between keeping your kids completely away from AI or throwing them into the deep end without guidance. Smart account setup is about finding that middle ground where your children can explore AI’s benefits while you maintain appropriate oversight and protection. See more here:

Smart Account Setup

135KB ∙ PDF file

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Cybercrime Checklist

Discovering that your child’s information has been part of a data breach or that their identity has been stolen is scary. You might find out through a credit monitoring alert, a suspicious social media account, fake content circulating online, or even a call from a financial institution about accounts you never opened. Whatever the source of discovery, your immediate reaction is likely to be a mix of anger, fear, and confusion, but really just going through a list of steps (and as quickly as possible) can make all the difference. Here’s how to get started:

Cybercrime Checklist

233KB ∙ PDF file

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Prompt Templates

There is no right way to “prompt” (or ask a question of) a generative AI tool. But hopefully, with a few suggestions in hand, you’ll be ready to give it a try. There are generally four categories of prompts: creative, informational, analytical, and instructional. And the real magic is the back and forth exchange between a user and a chatbot. So don’t be afraid to let a conversation ramble a bit or get off track because you can easily just start over. It can help to begin by explaining what you need and then ask, “What do you need from me to start?” I frequently do this when I want to ensure the chat is as productive as possible. A few other suggested prompts:

Prompt Templates

124KB ∙ PDF file

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Source Verification

As families, we want our children to be smart consumers of information, but figuring out how to teach these skills can feel daunting when the information landscape changes so quickly—and when we slip into bad habits too. The good news is that teaching kids to become information detectives isn’t just possible—it can be fun and a mutually beneficial activity. Because long gone are the days when we could rely on just a handful of trusted sources for information. Today’s kids need to learn how to verify what they read and hear while trying to remain objective and open-minded when considering all sources.

Source Verification

154KB ∙ PDF file

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There will be more information sheets to come. In the meantime, please check out my new book and let me know what you think.

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The rapid pace of technology adoption means protecting our information requires ongoing vigilance. Fortunately, there are straightforward steps families can take to build a strong foundation for digital security and wellbeing — while still celebrating the technology advancements we enjoy.

You'll find two downloadable documents below to help you track your progress toward health habits. First, a cross-platform, cross-device checklist to make sure you are comfortable with privacy settings (if you are looking for something more comprehensive, paid subscribers can find a detailed guide with checklists per device).

Second, I've included a Family Tech Contract template below that's designed for flexible use by families and caregivers as well. Even just discussing a *contract* together encourages everyone to commit to healthier digital habits—and importantly holds adults just as accountable as children and teens to this task.

Family Device Master Checklist

4.1MB ∙ PDF file

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Going through this checklist can be a great way to connect with family members and start to agree on family principles and what you all believe are healthy habits for you individually and as a family unit.

Download

Family Tech Agreement

1.57MB ∙ PDF file

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Making a commitment to ourselves and to each other is a great way to build digital literacy and healthy habits or the future...and for all members of a family.

Download

Quick Start Guide to Privacy Setup

If you're ready to dig in now, or want to better understand what it means to adjust settings, I’ve included an outline of the checklist below.

Remember: every family has different considerations and circumstances when it comes to technology, making this a highly personal activity. The guidance below is meant to help you develop best practices that evolve as you and your family change.

To start, and for this process to be most effective, agreeing on some family guiding principles is key. These are embedded in both the checklist and family contract. For instance:

• Establish your family's digital values and boundaries

• Decide on age-appropriate screen time limits

• Create a complete inventory of all family devices

• Research and implement platform-specific parental controls

The next step on the privacy/settings front is to first get organized:

• Prepare necessary account information:

  • Parent/guardian email addresses

  • Child birth dates for age-appropriate settings

  • Strong, unique passwords for each account

• It's also a good idea to set up a password manager for secure family account management (our family uses 1Password)

From there you can dig right in to these next steps:

1. Set Universal Privacy Settings

There are certain settings that should be applied across ALL devices when available:

Start With Account Security

• Create appropriate adult/child accounts

• Set strong, unique passwords

• Enable two-factor authentication

• Configure biometric security appropriately

• Use PIN protection for purchases

Set Content Restrictions

• Set age-appropriate content filters

• Configure web browsing restrictions

• Apply media content ratings by age

• Review app store/download restrictions

• Set up YouTube and streaming service restrictions

Adjust Location Privacy Settings

• Review location sharing settings

• Configure emergency location services

• Limit app location access to "while using"

• Disable precise location when not needed

• Review location history settings

Dig into Communication Safety

• Configure messaging restrictions

• Set up appropriate contact limitations

• Review social media privacy settings

• Configure who can send friend/contact requests

• Set up communication monitoring where needed

Consider Screen Time Management Tools

• Configure age-appropriate time limits

• Set up bedtime/downtime hours

• Create allowable usage schedules

• Configure break reminders

• Set educational content exceptions

Include Financial Protections

• Require authentication for all purchases

• Set up spending limits and notifications

• Configure "Ask to Buy" type features

• Review subscription services

• Consider using gift cards vs. credit cards

Be Mindful of Data Collection

• Opt out of optional analytics

• Review advertising settings and restrictions

• Configure voice assistant data storage

• Review and limit automatic syncing

• Disable "improve our product" sharing

2. Consider Age-Based Configuration Opportunities

Ages 5-8 (All Devices)

• Maximum privacy and safety settings

• Adult supervision during device use

• 30-60 minutes daily screen time

• Approved content only approach

• No unsupervised internet browsing

• No social media or messaging

• Disable purchases completely

• No location sharing

• Consider kids-specific devices/modes

Ages 9-12 (All Devices)

• High privacy settings with monitoring

• 1-1.5 hours daily screen time

• Limited, filtered web browsing

• Parent-approved apps and games only

• Supervised messaging with approved contacts

• Purchase approval required

• Limited location sharing (family only)

• Regular check-ins during online activities

• Begin digital literacy education

Ages 13-15 (All Devices)

• Moderate privacy settings with monitoring

• Flexible time limits based on responsibility

• Filtered web browsing with exceptions

• Regular privacy check-ins

• Limited social media with privacy education

• Purchase limits with notifications

• Basic location sharing for safety

• Focus on critical thinking skills

• Regular discussions about online experiences

Ages 16+ (All Devices)

• Basic safety settings maintained

• Collaborative approach to time management

• Focus on healthy digital habits

• Self-management with occasional check-ins

• Preparation for independent digital life

• Financial responsibility education

• Privacy and security best practices

• Discussion about digital footprint

• Emphasis on balance and wellbeing

3. Consider Device Management a Regular Task

• Weekly

  • Review usage reports with children

  • Check in about online experiences

  • Discuss any concerns or questions

• Monthly

  • Check for security and privacy updates

  • Review friend/contact lists

  • Check for unused authorized apps

  • Review purchase history

• Quarterly

  • Comprehensive privacy settings review

  • Update passwords and security

  • Data minimization cleanup

  • Reassess time limits and restrictions

• Annually

  • Complete privacy audit of all devices

  • Age-appropriate settings adjustments

  • Review and update family digital agreement

  • Evaluate digital wellbeing as a family

4. Don’t Forget to Foster Digital Well-Being

• Set up device-free meals and activities

• Create charging stations outside of bedrooms

• Establish parent modeling of healthy tech habits

• Develop tech-free alternatives for family time

• Discuss how to recognize digital burnout

Diving Right In? Device Settings Quick Reference

Mobile Devices

• iOS: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

• Android: Google Family Link → Parental Controls

Computers

• Windows: Microsoft Family Safety/Settings → Privacy & Security

• Mac: System Settings → Screen Time/Privacy & Security

Gaming

• Xbox: Microsoft Family Settings App

• PlayStation: Family Management

• Nintendo: Parental Controls App

Smart Home

• Amazon: Alexa App → Devices → Privacy

• Google: Home App → Settings → Digital Wellbeing

• Smart TV: Settings → Parental Controls/Privacy

Want to go even deeper in by category of device? You can check out the AI for Families comprehensive digital device set up guide with detailed downloads per device from iPhones to laptops, smart home devices and gaming consoles. The guide is available for paid subscribers here »

Family Digital Device Setup Guide

© AI for Families, 2025. Download individual device setup checklists at aiforfamilies.com/resources-and-guides

As parents and caregivers, configuring devices with appropriate privacy settings and age-based restrictions is now an essential part of digital parenting and a routine we should embrace. This comprehensive guide aims to help you navigate setting up privacy-protecting configurations across all major platforms, with age-appropriate recommendations to customize their implementation.

After a few tries, you'll find it all becomes habit – an investment in your family's digital wellbeing that pays dividends in both safety and peace of mind.

Table of Contents

1. Before You Begin: Digital Parenting Principles

2. Printable Setup Checklists

3. iOS…

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Here’s an example:

Privacy Considerations for the Yearbook Then and Now

In, say 1995, you would expect:

• Photos were seen by a few hundred people (at most)

• To observe an image would require the physical possession of a book

• Images were generally low-resolution and difficult to reproduce

• There was, of course, no way to automate identification

Now in 2025, the landscape has changed:

• Photos can be digitized and processed with facial recognition technology

• Images can be combined with a name to create a persistent identifier

• High-quality images are valuable to train age-progression algorithms

• Images can be matched to social media profiles to create behavioral overview

• Emotiona…

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Table of Contents

• Parent Experience With AI-Voice Scams

• How the Increasingly Believable Scams Work

• Influential Technology in the Wrong Hands

• How to Protect Your Family from AI Voice and Video Scams

Read more

Sometimes the repercussions are smallish (i.e., spamming one’s friends). Sometimes one clicks on a phishing email unleashes a severe, debilitating ransomware attack (i.e., shut down an entire organization until a ransom is paid).

In all cases the impact is damaging; and the threat of phishing has gotten exponentially worse in recent years. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security even called it out in its 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment report.

A few key reasons why this is happening with increased frequency and impact:

• More sophisticated trickery available in age of AI. Artificial intelligence can help bad actors create increasingly accurate and compelling email content to dupe individuals.

• We live larger percentage of our lives online. As we spend more of our lives tied to our…

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