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Explain new screen time rules to a teen without a lecture
Practice: Getting the tone right. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
You and your partner agreed on new phone rules for your 13-year-old. Text them in exactly 4 numbered rules, each under 12 words, then one line saying when you'll all review the rules together. Plain text, no lecture lines like 'studies show' or 'for your own good', and no emojis. Write a prompt that gets that text.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Writing a lecture. The AI writes paragraphs explaining why phones are bad for teens. Try: Set it: "Exactly 4 numbered rules, each under 12 words."
- Using a number you didn't agree on. Your notes show 9, 10 and 9:30. The AI may pick the wrong one. Try: Say it: "School nights: kitchen charger at 9:30 pm."
- No review date. The AI hands down rules with no sign they can change, which teens push back on. Try: Add: "End with: we'll review these together Sunday, Dec 7."
- Preachy extras. AI adds "studies show teens need 9 hours" and mentions grades, plus a 😊. Try: Add: "No lecture, no grades, no emojis. Skip TikTok and app limits. Plain text."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets the number of rules
- Uses the agreed time
- Adds the review date
- Bans lecturing
- Asks for plain text
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