whitne_ey's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0


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jehansen127's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0


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himpersonal's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

5.0

I’m not really sure how relevant the observations and advice in this book will be in a couple of generations. I think our current younger generations (mostly whom will be unaware of the practices outlined) will figure out how to get through life in different ways out of necessity. What we know about child development will change epigenetically. So I’d be interested in testing this book against the world in about 30 years. Until then, what’s provided seems infinitely beneficial. I can already see it play out in my life a little - my older nephew learned to read and write in Korean as a toddler on YouTube, but there’s a distinct and immediately noticeable difference between him and my niece who only knew Elmo through books and only started getting screen time probably at age four or five, and it was one episode of Daniel Tiger a week and a yoga program she did with her dad. My niece is a lot more excited about new experiences and meeting new people. There are many factors that distinguish them, but I’ve kind believed their access to screen times was a big contributor.

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kirstieanya's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful informative fast-paced

5.0

Alarming. Concise. Essential.

I didn't really research this book before starting; I just saw a book on anxiety that was free to read, picked it up, and am profoundly glad that I did.

As a childless twenty-something, Gen-Z cusper, I don't think this book was aimed at me; however, it made me contemplate the digital age we live in, how it has impacted me personally, and how it will definitely younger generations.

Every chapter covers a key way in which phone-based lives are changing our mental health. The initial chapters introduce the subject, quoting alarming statistics about the drastic increase in mental health problems in adolescents after 2010 (around the time of the first iPhone with a front-facing camera and the shift towards an appearance-/judging-based social media). 

One of the most interesting sections was the discussion of the ways in which society has changed and the reduction of "free play" due to the "overprotection" of children in real life (a subject, from this book, I have conflicting views on), which led to the increase of unprotected online life.

The author goes on to discuss the key differences between how different media affect boys and girls and the statistics that back this up.

The final chapters make some powerful arguments and suggestions for the ways in which parents, schools, and government could and should protect children from becoming so effected by online content. With the understanding that from now on, social media and online lives will be unavoidable, it provides data-based suggestions on how to limit the damage it can cause. 

This book made me even more grateful to have been past the most vulnerable age when Instagram became as prevalent, addictive, and edited as it is today. This book is essential reading for any parent, teacher, or caregiver. The writing was succinct, understandable, and powerful. As a warning and a manual for current and future carers, I cannot fault this book, and I will definitely re-read it if I ever have children myself.

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daughterofthekingofkings's review against another edition

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challenging informative slow-paced

4.75


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