Recommended books about parenting / technology?

[Robert Keith]

Hi All -

We are looking for some well-researched, balanced books about parenting and technology. 

Our go-to has been Screenwise by Devorah Heitner. 

Rob & Katie

Trinity School

[Stewart Crais]

Dear Rob and Katie,

I think Haidt's books are great Anxious Generation and the new one with Catherine Price, Amazing Generation

Jean Twennge's 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World is also good

I'd be interested in other's input as well!

Best,

Stewart Crais

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Stewart Crais

Director of Technology

The Buckley School

113 East 73rd Street

New York, NY 10021

212/535-8787

The goals of a Buckley education are that every boy learn fundamental skills, gain self-confidence through disciplined thought and action, develop personal integrity and respect for others, and discover the joy of learning and the satisfaction of pursuing excellence.

[Briar Sauro]

I really like this person whose Instagram is tremendously helpful - Ash Brandin. Their new book looks great (but I haven't read it yet). Very balanced perspective and encourages parents to be a part of their kids' digital world rather than just use it as a reward or punishment.

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ash-brandin/power-on/9780306836992/

I've read some criticism of Haidt's methods and I do think it's leading to a bit more of a "fear" stance than I think is helpful, personally.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00902-2

Briar Sauro

Assistant Director of Lower School

The Berkeley Carroll School

701 Carroll Street | Brooklyn, NY 11215

(718) 534-6604 | www.berkeleycarroll.org

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[Jennifer Olivera]

This one is a little older (and almost directly contradicts Haidt's work) but I think The New Childhood by Jordan Shapiro is an important read.  His entire philosophy is that waiting until later to give children access to devices is flawed because it coincides with puberty – an age in which children are more inclined to engage in impulsive/boundary-pushing behavior.  He argues that sooner, more heavily-scaffolded engagement with devices is essential for them to eventually become safe, independent, wielders of technology.

He spoke at a parent event years ago and when asked the question, "At what age should I stop monitoring my child's phone?", he responded (a little tongue-in-cheek) "Never.  If they think their phones are private, then they fundamentally don't understand the concept that everything digital is permanent."    

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Jennifer Olivera

Director of Educational Technology

Pronouns: she/her 

Léman Manhattan Preparatory School

T: 212-232-0266  ext. 847 Book me

lemanmanhattan.org

 

[Chesna Flora]

Devorah Heitner also has a newer book called Growing up in Public.  There's also Behind Their Screens by Emily Weinstein and Carrie James.  And I second the recommendation for Jonathan Haidt's graphic novel with Catherine Price, The Amazing Generation.  I thought it spoke really well to kids on these topics and my kids really enjoyed it. 

But because books take a long time to write and publish, and research and the technology are evolving, in addition to than books on these topics, I also follow certain organizations/newsletters/substacks etc.  Children and Screens has a really great Ask the Experts webinar series (they post the old ones on their Youtube channel I believe) and also well researched podcasts and other resources.  The maker of the documentary Screenagers has a weekly newsletter called Tech Talk Tuesdays with advice on all sorts of topics, usually related to technology, but also sometimes the intersection for example, of how children are seeing drug use online.  Plus it comes with helpful conversation starters (more geared towards middle and high school ages).  Finally the substack TechnoSapiens is also very research focused and looks at questions around parenting and technology.

There are definitely plenty more - everyone is jumping on the parenting and technology advice bandwagon these days - but I try to focus on recommendations that are backed by scientists, researchers, educators, etc.  I lead sessions for our parents multiple times a year on parenting and technology, so I have to come up with a lot of stuff.  Happy to share any other advice!