Gaming start and finish agreement
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Free resource. Print this page or copy the prompts into your own notebook or document. The spaces below are for your own notes, not an online form.
Complete this before playing, when everyone can discuss it calmly. The adult remains responsible for age-appropriate games, contact settings and spending controls.
Understand this game
- Game and device: ____________________
- Can it pause? ____________________
- How does it save? ____________________
- How long does a usual round or activity take? ____________________
- Is this game suitable for the time we have today? ____________________
Our session plan
- Start time: ____________________
- Finish time: ____________________
- Reminder time and how it will be given: ____________________
- Point after which we will not start another round: ____________________
- What to do if there is only a short time left: ____________________
Example: “We finish at 5.30. At the reminder we check the remaining time and avoid starting a round that will run past the finish.”
Moving to the next thing
- How we will save and close: ____________________
- Adult help available: ____________________
- Next activity: ____________________
- Words we will use if stopping feels disappointing: ____________________
Example: “You wanted more time. We are finishing now. We can talk about tomorrow’s plan once we have settled.”
Review after a few sessions
- Did the round length fit? ____________________
- Was the warning useful? ____________________
- Did we leave enough time to save? ____________________
- One adjustment: ____________________
This agreement covers the session’s timing. Separately check age suitability, online contact and purchases. If gaming is repeatedly affecting sleep, school or relationships, seek support rather than continually extending the timer.
For ideas to use alongside this resource, read Ending a gaming session: agree the stopping point before play begins.
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