Straight Talk introduces customizable digital pact to guide children’s first phone use and screen habits

New resource from Verizon’s prepaid brand outlines expectations around screen time, app use, and digital conduct as children receive their first phones.

Photo credit: Straight Talk Wireless

Straight Talk Wireless has introduced a new digital agreement aimed at families preparing to give children their first mobile phones.

The document, called The First Phone Pact, allows parents and children to establish expectations and boundaries around phone use. It covers screen time, app permissions, online etiquette, and consequences for misuse.

Straight Talk is a no-contract prepaid mobile provider that operates under Verizon’s Value portfolio and is sold exclusively through Walmart and online. The new pact is being launched ahead of the back-to-school period, but its focus is on broader digital behavior rather than device setup or technical features.

Structure and intent of the pact

The agreement was created in collaboration with Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, a psychologist who studies the relationship between technology use and child development. It is designed to be tailored by families based on their child’s age, maturity, and household values.

The pact includes sections on daily screen limits, device-free times or zones, types of approved content, and digital conduct expectations. It also prompts parents to outline consequences if rules are broken, and to agree on when new privileges might be introduced.

Clark says, "At Straight Talk, we believe that anyone’s first exposure to a phone should come with a plan for how to use it. The First Phone Pact gives families the blueprint they need to establish healthy digital habits from day one and includes expert-backed guidance parents can trust. Families deserve a smooth, confident digital transition."

While customizable, the structure resembles a checklist and does not provide monitoring tools or enforcement features. It also does not integrate with devices or mobile operating systems.

Dr. Nesi adds, “A child’s first phone is an important milestone for families. It’s the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for healthy digital habits in the future. Having open, honest conversations and setting clear boundaries upfront goes a long way and we’re here to help parents do that by providing practical, personalized tools.”