It's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence

by Erin Walsh

Support your teen’s growth and guide them through the complexities of the digital landscape by building a strong relationship.Parenting teens in the digital age is both rewarding and challenging. It's Their Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence equips you with the tools and understanding to guide them confidently as they navigate their changing body, evolving identity, and the ever-present use of technology. This book tackles important topics such as sexting, cyberbullying, and online pornography and explores monitoring, boundaries, and mental health.Gain practical strategies for managing screen time that align with your teen’s natural sensitivity to rewards and distractions, promoting healthier tech habits.Learn how stress affects both you and your teen and develop strategies to support each other in navigating the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence.Encourage your teen’s growing sense of identity and independence while maintaining boundaries that build trust and respect.Develop a partnership mindset, creating an environment where your teen feels understood, supported, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the world.By the end of It's Their World, you’ll feel more confident in your parenting approach, equipped with science-backed knowledge and practical advice. This book will help you not only survive parenting through the teenage years but also thrive alongside your teen, building a relationship that fosters mutual respect, understanding, and lifelong connection.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Erin Walsh is a parent, speaker, author and co-founder of Spark & Stitch Institute. She has worked with communities across the country who want to better understand child and adolescent development and cut through conflicting information about kids and technology. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Star Tribune, Parents.com, and Yahoo News. She co-authored the Tenth Anniversary Edition of the national bestseller "Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen." Her latest book, It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence (Free Spirit Publishing), will be released in May 2025. She has presented to schools, school districts, parent groups and other youth serving organizations throughout the United States and Canada on issues related to digital media, parenting, and social emotional development. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Reviews

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fortunately, this is not one of those apocalyptic books where I just read that by now my child's brain can't be saved. I also particularly appreciated, the constant asking of the same questions not only of the teenager, but also of ourselves, somewhat to gauge how much we ignore in ourselves the same addictive behaviors of our children. Well written and with doable suggestions.

Per fortuna non é uno di quei libri apocalittici in cui non faccio che leggere che ormai il cervello di mio figlio non si puó piú salvare. Ho apprezzato inoltre in modo particolare, il continuo fare le stesse domande non solo all'adolescente, ma anche a noi stessi, un po' per valutare quanto ignoriamo in noi stessi gli stessi comportamenti di dipendenza dei nostri figli. Ben scritto e con suggerimenti fattibili.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt calm and reassuring in a world usually filled with click bait driven, alarmist parenting advice. It left me feeling calmer and more capable of managing the ever present parenting (and personal!) challenge of screen time. It's also an awesome overview of adolescent brain development. I'll be recommending this to friends!

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literary Review: It’s Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence by Erin Walsh

Overview
Erin Walsh’s It’s Their World is a timely, research-backed exploration of the digital landscape shaping modern adolescence. Blending neuroscience, psychology, and real-world parenting insights, Walsh tackles the complexities of screen time, social media, and teen brain development with clarity and compassion. While the book excels in translating science into actionable advice, its occasional reliance on broad generalizations may leave some readers craving deeper nuance.

Key Strengths
-Science Made Accessible: Walsh distills complex adolescent brain science into digestible takeaways, helping parents understand why teens engage with screens impulsively—and how to guide them.
-Balanced Perspective: Neither alarmist nor dismissive, the book acknowledges screens’ risks (e.g., attention fragmentation, social comparison) while highlighting their potential for creativity and connection.
-Practical Strategies: From boundary-setting to fostering offline resilience, Walsh offers concrete tools tailored to different parenting styles and teen personalities.

Critical Considerations
-Overgeneralization: Some assertions (e.g., “all teens experience X”) risk oversimplifying diverse adolescent experiences, particularly for neurodivergent or marginalized youth.
-Rapidly Evolving Topic: While thorough, the fast-changing digital world means certain app-specific advice may feel dated sooner than broader principles.
-Parent-Centric Lens: Teens’ own voices are occasionally sidelined in favor of adult interpretations—a missed opportunity for richer dialogue.

Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Stands out in a crowded field with its neuroscience-meets-parenting approach.
-Research Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Well-cited but occasionally sacrifices nuance for readability.
-Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Actionable strategies elevate it beyond theoretical discourse.
-Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Jargon-free but assumes moderate parental tech literacy.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A compass for parents lost in the digital wilderness—science-backed, pragmatic, and urgently relevant.

Who Should Read This?
-Parents and educators of tweens/teens seeking evidence-based screen-time guidance.
-Advocates for digital wellness who prefer data over dogma.
-Readers who enjoyed The Teenage Brain or Screenwise but want fresher takes.

Final Thoughts
Walsh’s book is a vital resource for navigating the screen-saturated adolescent experience. Its blend of empathy and evidence makes it a standout—even if it doesn’t address every edge case.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Erin Walsh for the advance review copy. This review reflects an honest engagement with the book’s mission to bridge science and parenting in the digital age.

[Jonathan Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many parents worry about their teens and how to manage screen time. Who hasn't worried that they are ruining their child's life by being too strict/not strict enough? Erin Walsh delivers practical advice on parenting teens in a changing world. This book is grounded in science, providing evidence based strategies that are implementable for real people from a variety of backgrounds. Perhaps more importantly, you can tell that this author has compassion for both teens and parents. You never feel shamed for not doing things exactly right, but rather are encouraged to approach parenting with curiosity and solve problems collaboratively. She also seems to really love teenagers and their amazing brains, which you don't always find in books like this! It is easy to read and will truly change how you view teens and technology, and leave you feeling empowered. A must read!

[Ericha Diegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It’s Their Time: Teen Screens and the Science of Adolescence" explores the impact of digital media on teenagers. The authors discuss how adolescent brain development affects emotions and decision-making, highlight the pros and cons of screen time, and examine the influence of social media on identity and relationships. The book provides practical advice for parents and educators on fostering healthy tech use among teens. Overall, it's a valuable resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities of growing up in a digital age.

[Jenn Whitmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin Walsh has given every parent a gift with this amazing book. I cannot recommend it enough — as a parent of 20s and teens and a former educator! If you have someone in your world who is a teen or younger as a kid, niece, nephew, or student, you need this book! Researches, practical, and empathetic, this book is a trusted resource as digital life evolves.

[Lauren Geier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for parents, teachers, therapists...anyone who loves a kiddo and lives in the modern technology landscape. I'll be recommending this book to EVERYONE whether they ask or not!