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Smartphone Nation: Why We're All Addicted to Screens and What You Can Do About It
'Equips us with the practical tools needed to build a healthier, happier future for ourselves and our kids’ – Daisy Greenwell, co-founder Smartphone-Free Childhood
'A smart first step into completely resetting your daily life' – Stylist
'A candid, rigorous, and witty read on how to stop digital devices from wreaking havoc on our lives' – Adam Grant, author of Think Again
The tools you need to protect yourself – and your family – from online harm.
If you’re worried about the effect screens are having on your kids, or will have in the future, Smartphone Nation is the book you need. We advise young people, when they encounter online harm to speak to the adults in their lives. But most adults don’t understand what's actually driving this content and so we don’t have the tools to support young people when they most need it.
Now, in Smartphone Nation, we do.
Perfect for readers of The Anxious Generation, in this highly practical book, Dr Kaitlyn Regehr – one of the UK’s leading experts on digital literacy – explains what we and our kids are being fed on our devices and, crucially, how to take control over it.
This life-changing guide provides practical tips for talking to kids about smartphone use, covering tricky topics like smartphone bans, misogyny, body image, sexual content and misinformation. It’s essential reading for parents, and anyone who has ever thought there’s more to life than staring at a screen.
'A smart first step into completely resetting your daily life' – Stylist
'A candid, rigorous, and witty read on how to stop digital devices from wreaking havoc on our lives' – Adam Grant, author of Think Again
The tools you need to protect yourself – and your family – from online harm.
If you’re worried about the effect screens are having on your kids, or will have in the future, Smartphone Nation is the book you need. We advise young people, when they encounter online harm to speak to the adults in their lives. But most adults don’t understand what's actually driving this content and so we don’t have the tools to support young people when they most need it.
Now, in Smartphone Nation, we do.
Perfect for readers of The Anxious Generation, in this highly practical book, Dr Kaitlyn Regehr – one of the UK’s leading experts on digital literacy – explains what we and our kids are being fed on our devices and, crucially, how to take control over it.
This life-changing guide provides practical tips for talking to kids about smartphone use, covering tricky topics like smartphone bans, misogyny, body image, sexual content and misinformation. It’s essential reading for parents, and anyone who has ever thought there’s more to life than staring at a screen.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
54 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 18, 2025
So … I don’t think I was the target market for this book.
It focuses a lot on parenting and how to encourage healthy screen habits amongst kids, I’m 20 send childless …
Outside of that, it raised some interesting concepts and exploration of how we’ve become addicted to phones, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most thorough account I’ve read - probably because that’s not what the author set out to do.
Overall it’s a short little book, and worth a go
It focuses a lot on parenting and how to encourage healthy screen habits amongst kids, I’m 20 send childless …
Outside of that, it raised some interesting concepts and exploration of how we’ve become addicted to phones, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most thorough account I’ve read - probably because that’s not what the author set out to do.
Overall it’s a short little book, and worth a go
May 9, 2025
This isn't just another book blaming us for spending too much time on social media or telling us to just cut down our screen time. Regehr points out how tech companies love putting the blame on us. Instead, she digs into how these platforms work – the algorithms, the “you-loops” that feed us more of the similar content and suck us into a giant vortex of “echo chambers”.
One of the most haunting and heartbreaking stories that Regehr shares is that of Molly, who died by suicide at the age of fourteen. After her death, her father Ian accessed some of her social media accounts. What he found wasn't just teenage popstars. Molly's screen became “awash with red.” Self-harm images, despairing sketches, posts glorifying anxiety, depression, and suicide. Algorithms had fed these to Molly. She’d seen over sixteen thousand such pieces of content in her last six months. Two thousand were about self-harm or suicide. In November 2017, Molly took her own life. She was fourteen.
Regehr worries about more than just kids. The January 6th Capitol riot in the US and the more recent, horrific 2024 Southport stabbing at a kids' Taylor Swift yoga class in the UK, followed by racist, anti-immigrant protests showed that adults get sucked in too. “You-loops” and “echo chambers” don’t just twist reality, they actively fuel rage.
The book also rings the alarm on “sharenting” – parents constantly posting about their kids, building digital records from birth. Barclays Bank thinks this could cause two-thirds of youth identity fraud by 2030. Then there's what Regehr calls “truth decay.” Facts erode. Disinformation and violence spread online, fanned by figures like Andrew Tate. The young attacker of Southport stabbing had consumed masses of extremist content. These aren't random awful events. They're signs of a system where, as Regehr says, “disinformation can be more attention-grabbing than truth and thus rewarded by the algorithm.” And yes, it's the same system that can make it way too easy for parents to use phones as digital babysitters.
Regehr isn’t anti-tech though. She is fiercely pro-information. She suggests “Digital Nutrition.” Think of it like a healthy food diet, but for screens. It’s not just how much screen time, but what kind. We need to move from mindless scrolling to active, thoughtful engagement. Each chapter has these brilliant “What You Can Do About It” sections where she gives real strategies such as “game your algorithm” with “algorithmic resistance”, and using a “walk-through” method with our children.
But doing it all on your own isn’t enough. The problem isn’t just us. It’s the companies that design for addiction, optimize for outrage, and profit from disinformation. Holding them accountable, however, is harder than it seems.
Think about it – almost everything we consume is regulated, from the food we eat and the medicines we take to the cars we drive. But when it comes to social media and online platforms, this is less the case. Regehr explains how tech giants manage to dodge regulation with two clever strategies: the argument of “causation” and the shield of “free speech.”
When confronted with the harms linked to their platforms—teen suicide, misinformation, violent extremism—companies like Facebook claim there’s no scientific evidence of direct causation. Regehr compares this defense to how the tobacco industry used to deny that smoking causes cancer. Strictly speaking, it’s true: you can’t definitively prove smoking causes cancer in the way these companies demand. Doing so would require an unethical randomized controlled trial. That means forcing one group of people to smoke heavily and another group not to, then observing them for years. Obviously, that's impossible and unethical. Yet, tech companies demand this same impossible standard of proof for social media harm.
They also wave the “free speech” flag to fight regulation. This argument is powerful, especially in the US with its First Amendment history. Tech giants like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) present themselves not as publishers but as platforms, like an open town square. It’s a subtle but significant distinction. Publishers, by law, are responsible for what they print. Platforms, on the other hand, claim they’re just hosting content without endorsing it. Regehr points out that this argument is dangerously convenient.
She explains that while platforms are shouting about commitment to free speech, they are, in fact, constantly making editorial decisions: who gets amplified, who gets silenced, what gets monetized. The algorithms aren’t neutral. They are heavily curated. And the idea that regulation automatically kills free speech doesn't hold up either. Newspapers, TV, and radio have regulations and free speech. Regehr points out the absurdity: content “too brutal for broadcast on TV” is easily found by kids online. The money behind the attention economy needs a rethink.
In the end, Smartphone Nation isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about reclaiming agency. It gives you the knowledge to understand what's happening when you scroll and the tools to take back some control.
(I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book. Thanks to the publisher, Bluebird (an imprint of Pan Macmillan), and Netgalley. Smartphone Nation is expected to be released on 15 May 2025 in the UK, and 2 December 2025 in the US.)
One of the most haunting and heartbreaking stories that Regehr shares is that of Molly, who died by suicide at the age of fourteen. After her death, her father Ian accessed some of her social media accounts. What he found wasn't just teenage popstars. Molly's screen became “awash with red.” Self-harm images, despairing sketches, posts glorifying anxiety, depression, and suicide. Algorithms had fed these to Molly. She’d seen over sixteen thousand such pieces of content in her last six months. Two thousand were about self-harm or suicide. In November 2017, Molly took her own life. She was fourteen.
Regehr worries about more than just kids. The January 6th Capitol riot in the US and the more recent, horrific 2024 Southport stabbing at a kids' Taylor Swift yoga class in the UK, followed by racist, anti-immigrant protests showed that adults get sucked in too. “You-loops” and “echo chambers” don’t just twist reality, they actively fuel rage.
The book also rings the alarm on “sharenting” – parents constantly posting about their kids, building digital records from birth. Barclays Bank thinks this could cause two-thirds of youth identity fraud by 2030. Then there's what Regehr calls “truth decay.” Facts erode. Disinformation and violence spread online, fanned by figures like Andrew Tate. The young attacker of Southport stabbing had consumed masses of extremist content. These aren't random awful events. They're signs of a system where, as Regehr says, “disinformation can be more attention-grabbing than truth and thus rewarded by the algorithm.” And yes, it's the same system that can make it way too easy for parents to use phones as digital babysitters.
Regehr isn’t anti-tech though. She is fiercely pro-information. She suggests “Digital Nutrition.” Think of it like a healthy food diet, but for screens. It’s not just how much screen time, but what kind. We need to move from mindless scrolling to active, thoughtful engagement. Each chapter has these brilliant “What You Can Do About It” sections where she gives real strategies such as “game your algorithm” with “algorithmic resistance”, and using a “walk-through” method with our children.
But doing it all on your own isn’t enough. The problem isn’t just us. It’s the companies that design for addiction, optimize for outrage, and profit from disinformation. Holding them accountable, however, is harder than it seems.
Think about it – almost everything we consume is regulated, from the food we eat and the medicines we take to the cars we drive. But when it comes to social media and online platforms, this is less the case. Regehr explains how tech giants manage to dodge regulation with two clever strategies: the argument of “causation” and the shield of “free speech.”
When confronted with the harms linked to their platforms—teen suicide, misinformation, violent extremism—companies like Facebook claim there’s no scientific evidence of direct causation. Regehr compares this defense to how the tobacco industry used to deny that smoking causes cancer. Strictly speaking, it’s true: you can’t definitively prove smoking causes cancer in the way these companies demand. Doing so would require an unethical randomized controlled trial. That means forcing one group of people to smoke heavily and another group not to, then observing them for years. Obviously, that's impossible and unethical. Yet, tech companies demand this same impossible standard of proof for social media harm.
They also wave the “free speech” flag to fight regulation. This argument is powerful, especially in the US with its First Amendment history. Tech giants like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) present themselves not as publishers but as platforms, like an open town square. It’s a subtle but significant distinction. Publishers, by law, are responsible for what they print. Platforms, on the other hand, claim they’re just hosting content without endorsing it. Regehr points out that this argument is dangerously convenient.
She explains that while platforms are shouting about commitment to free speech, they are, in fact, constantly making editorial decisions: who gets amplified, who gets silenced, what gets monetized. The algorithms aren’t neutral. They are heavily curated. And the idea that regulation automatically kills free speech doesn't hold up either. Newspapers, TV, and radio have regulations and free speech. Regehr points out the absurdity: content “too brutal for broadcast on TV” is easily found by kids online. The money behind the attention economy needs a rethink.
In the end, Smartphone Nation isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about reclaiming agency. It gives you the knowledge to understand what's happening when you scroll and the tools to take back some control.
(I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book. Thanks to the publisher, Bluebird (an imprint of Pan Macmillan), and Netgalley. Smartphone Nation is expected to be released on 15 May 2025 in the UK, and 2 December 2025 in the US.)
August 17, 2025
2.5⭐️
I don't think I was the intended audience for this book, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.
I am a childless person, and the majority of this book discusses media consumption and smart phone usage by and with children. While the author states it is all applicable to any age, the consistent repetition of parenting applications and how kids respond to things kept me from forming a connection with the information in the book.
Besides this, there is a lot of interesting information, but I think the marketing of this book needs to be better done to emphasize the parenting aspect of this, and not just smart phone usage by the average person.
I don't think I was the intended audience for this book, so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt.
I am a childless person, and the majority of this book discusses media consumption and smart phone usage by and with children. While the author states it is all applicable to any age, the consistent repetition of parenting applications and how kids respond to things kept me from forming a connection with the information in the book.
Besides this, there is a lot of interesting information, but I think the marketing of this book needs to be better done to emphasize the parenting aspect of this, and not just smart phone usage by the average person.
May 28, 2025
This is such an illuminating read - explaining how the attention economy has made us all permanently attached to our phones.
But it's not a depressing read at all - there's loads of practical advice on how to liberate yourself from the tyranny of devices.
Phenomenally well researched - i honestly feel better for having read it.
But it's not a depressing read at all - there's loads of practical advice on how to liberate yourself from the tyranny of devices.
Phenomenally well researched - i honestly feel better for having read it.
July 21, 2025
2.5 - although largely as I wasn’t the intended recipient of this book. I guess the people who are most likely to feel anxiety about screen time usage and thus buy a book about it are the parents of young children - but this book doesn’t really disclose that it’s targeted at this group from the blurb or the cover. Despite promising claims of advice on digital content awareness and taking control of your screen time delivered by an expert in the field, the book was essentially a fluffed up article. Coming in hot at 160 pages in massive font and double spacing I can’t believe I paid 22 euro for this.
There is some valuable content that is interesting and there are attempts at showing the evolution of algorithms and social media over time, but if this is a self help book for adults it should be marketed as such. Ironic for a book criticising the subversive advertising techniques of online media.
There is some valuable content that is interesting and there are attempts at showing the evolution of algorithms and social media over time, but if this is a self help book for adults it should be marketed as such. Ironic for a book criticising the subversive advertising techniques of online media.
September 11, 2025
Very informative and depressing, what’s the point basically x
But seriously, I would say the target audience is parents and now I don’t want to be one.
But seriously, I would say the target audience is parents and now I don’t want to be one.
May 28, 2025
Terrifying. Make it stop. Policy follows the people, and the people need to push for better regulation and hold these fucking tech companies to account. Really do feel like my only option is to delete social media if I want a different life, to kick the addiction that we all have to varying degrees.
Read
November 2, 2025While there is some good stuff in here (especially for parents) I think some other books cover this topic better. I did, however, enjoy the first few chapters and their focus on truth decay, disinformation, and algorithms.
May 13, 2025
This is an accessible, thought-provoking read. Looking at smartphone usage for both children and adults, it highlights the ways in which we are all effectively giving away our likes, dislikes, interests and personal information and offering it up to advertisers who then target us with ever more specific ads. It also looks at the darker side of smartphone use, the content that children are exposed to from a very young age, as well as discussing screen time as a potential issue, and ways to address these things with your children.
I really liked that the book felt balanced, in that it isn't a diatribe against technological advances. And the suggestions and ideas for ways to check you're not stuck in a you-loop, and how you can moderate your own usage, as well as your children's, were all useful. I've already implemented some of the ideas within my own feed, and discussed the book with my children. Although it does make reference to children throughout, I found it relevant to my own smartphone usage, and so I think it isn't just for parents and would be a useful reminder of monitoring what information you are giving away, and thinking about your active and passive phone usage.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for my ARC.
I really liked that the book felt balanced, in that it isn't a diatribe against technological advances. And the suggestions and ideas for ways to check you're not stuck in a you-loop, and how you can moderate your own usage, as well as your children's, were all useful. I've already implemented some of the ideas within my own feed, and discussed the book with my children. Although it does make reference to children throughout, I found it relevant to my own smartphone usage, and so I think it isn't just for parents and would be a useful reminder of monitoring what information you are giving away, and thinking about your active and passive phone usage.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for my ARC.
July 8, 2025
Smartphone Nation delivers on the promise in its subtitle ("Why We're All Addicted to Screens and What You Can Do About It"). While much of this book explores the impact of smartphone use on children, there are plenty of takeaways for adults as well.
Regehr's approach isn't anti-technology or anti-smartphone—it's pro-digital literacy. She offers a balanced and accessible overview of how social media platforms are intentionally designed to capture our attention and generate profit, often in the absence of meaningful regulation. Rather than sounding alarmist, she equips readers with tools to reflect on their own usage and leaves them with clear, actionable strategies to make meaningful change, both individually and collectively.
This was a thought-provoking and insightful read. It challenged my own habits (my phone is now temporarily on greyscale) and offered practical ways to foster healthier digital use. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in digital wellness or concerned about the ever-present influence of screens in modern life. Publication Date: August 12, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Regehr's approach isn't anti-technology or anti-smartphone—it's pro-digital literacy. She offers a balanced and accessible overview of how social media platforms are intentionally designed to capture our attention and generate profit, often in the absence of meaningful regulation. Rather than sounding alarmist, she equips readers with tools to reflect on their own usage and leaves them with clear, actionable strategies to make meaningful change, both individually and collectively.
This was a thought-provoking and insightful read. It challenged my own habits (my phone is now temporarily on greyscale) and offered practical ways to foster healthier digital use. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in digital wellness or concerned about the ever-present influence of screens in modern life. Publication Date: August 12, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.
May 26, 2025
As someone who has a shameful screen-time record, I was very intrigued by this non-fiction when I spotted it on NetGalley. Dr. Regehr delves into how social media is set up to purposefully draw us in and keep our attention for their own profit.
One thing I really hadn't expected from this book was its focus on how parents can keep their children safe online. Whilst I think this is a really important topic, I'm not a parent myself and don't plan on being one so I wouldn't have picked this book up if I'd known this was the focus. The synopsis doesn't make it clear that this is such a core focus and I feel like it's doing the book a disservice as more parents would pick this up if they knew (and I wouldn't have!)
Separate from all the sections on kids, I did find Dr. Regehr's research into this topic really interesting and whilst not surprising having it laid out in black and white did make me truly think about my usage and why exactly I'm online so often.
This book is definitely being mis-marketed, but I did enjoy the 20% that was relevant to me (and maybe I should try and treat myself like a child over my internet usage!)
One thing I really hadn't expected from this book was its focus on how parents can keep their children safe online. Whilst I think this is a really important topic, I'm not a parent myself and don't plan on being one so I wouldn't have picked this book up if I'd known this was the focus. The synopsis doesn't make it clear that this is such a core focus and I feel like it's doing the book a disservice as more parents would pick this up if they knew (and I wouldn't have!)
Separate from all the sections on kids, I did find Dr. Regehr's research into this topic really interesting and whilst not surprising having it laid out in black and white did make me truly think about my usage and why exactly I'm online so often.
This book is definitely being mis-marketed, but I did enjoy the 20% that was relevant to me (and maybe I should try and treat myself like a child over my internet usage!)
November 16, 2025
There is a lot in this book that will be incredibly useful for parents but there was a lot in it for an oldie like me too. I think it’s important that we all educate ourselves about the benefits and damage that smartphones bring. Ms Regehr goes into detail about algorithms and the intentions of the large companies. There is a lot of money in our data and we need to be more aware of what’s happening with it.
A big positive of this book is the advice it gives on how to protect ourselves and our youngsters. There are heartbreaking stories of suicide, and the impact of pornography on our society, and the way young people cannot ever really escape social media. But the author isn’t anti technology. Far from it, she just wants us being conscious of our use and its impact on us.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
A big positive of this book is the advice it gives on how to protect ourselves and our youngsters. There are heartbreaking stories of suicide, and the impact of pornography on our society, and the way young people cannot ever really escape social media. But the author isn’t anti technology. Far from it, she just wants us being conscious of our use and its impact on us.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley
July 16, 2025
czytając ostatnio książkę o skrajnej prawicy natknęłam się na informację, że wielu osobom algorytm mediów społecznościowych podsunął takie treści i to częściowo spowodowało ich radykalizację. czytałam już kilka książek o tym dlaczego tak działają algorytmy i chciałam przeczytać książkę, która przedstawi historię prób zmian algorytmów mediów, ich regulacji prawnej i o tym, jak zdrowo używać mediów społecznościowych. książka "smartphone nation" opowiada o wszystkich tych rzeczach, ale skupia się głównie na rodzicach i budowaniu zdrowej relacji z internetem przez ich dzieci ale mimo tego była dla mnie bardzo interesująca i doceniam, że było w niej dużo fajnych zasobów dla rodziców, więc polecam wszystkim osobom, opiekującymi się małymi człowieczkami.
October 6, 2025
was this book worth 36 bucks (granted I bought it in an airport)? no.
The writing on the front and back is very misleading, it didn't solve any of my problems (again, granted the only thing that would, would be to just get rid of my phone). but it promised alot and didn't really deliver.
there was alot of interesting discussions about the legality and history of the issue of technology. but not a whole lot of insightful points that made me think beyond the opinion I already have.
I believe if this book was marketed differently, maybe towards a more of a insight as to the mechanism of social media, then really focused on it, then this book would be good.
i can see the objective and message behind the book, but could have been done in a much better way.
missed opportunity
The writing on the front and back is very misleading, it didn't solve any of my problems (again, granted the only thing that would, would be to just get rid of my phone). but it promised alot and didn't really deliver.
there was alot of interesting discussions about the legality and history of the issue of technology. but not a whole lot of insightful points that made me think beyond the opinion I already have.
I believe if this book was marketed differently, maybe towards a more of a insight as to the mechanism of social media, then really focused on it, then this book would be good.
i can see the objective and message behind the book, but could have been done in a much better way.
missed opportunity
May 28, 2025
‘Why we’re all addicted to screens and what you can do about it’ is the subtitle and that’s pretty much exactly what Smartphone Nation delivers. UCL academic Kaitlyn Regehr knows what she’s talking about and a lot of it is quite scary. However, she explains the mechanisms behind social media, the commercial structures and the regulatory environment, such as it is, clearly and, drawing on a wide range of research, discusses the impact of smartphones, particularly on younger users. Although it’s perhaps particularly relevant reading for parents, this is important stuff and it’s a call to action for us all. We should take it seriously.
May 29, 2025
This was such a powerful book. We all hear horror stories of us all becoming addicted to our media devices and the harmful impact this has but usually we hear this through the lens of seeing it as a personal failure that we have become addicted, I loved that in this book the author holds the tech companies to account pointing out how it is in their interest for us to remain addicted and how they continue to use the algorithm to keep us hooked. Its a clever and insightful book - I really enjoyed it
June 17, 2025
This is a really refreshing book about why we are so addicted to our screens and what to do about it. It also delves into the real harm that it can cause from the availability of pro-suicide forums and online resources, the prevalence of online bullying, unrealistic body image being portrayed in social media, and the polarized society it creates.
She wants us to be become empowered digital citizen who is willing to pressure the government to create policies that will protect our privacy and our minds from misinformation.
She wants us to be become empowered digital citizen who is willing to pressure the government to create policies that will protect our privacy and our minds from misinformation.
July 17, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The tone was highly conversational; there was no getting bogged down in technical jargon. Dr. Regehr clearly discusses the benefits and pitfalls of the devices that are now part of our daily lives. She also discusses social media and its origins; this historical perspective helped frame the discussion. Although a lot of the content revolves around children, I feel that there are lessons here for everyone. This book was well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Canada for the advance reader copy.
May 29, 2025
The book's title and subtitle don't give the correct description of what the content is actually about.
"Why we're all addicted and what you can do about it" makes it sound like it's more of what WE, the individuals can do about our smartphone habits. But only a small section of the book actually talks about that.
Most of the book seems to be targeting parents - covering phone devices for kids, privacy, legislation.
The actual content is good if you're in the target demographic.
"Why we're all addicted and what you can do about it" makes it sound like it's more of what WE, the individuals can do about our smartphone habits. But only a small section of the book actually talks about that.
Most of the book seems to be targeting parents - covering phone devices for kids, privacy, legislation.
The actual content is good if you're in the target demographic.
June 22, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for this review book.
It is not very often that a review book stirs me enough to buy a hardback but this is one.
Written in a straight forward easy to read and process manner, this book is useful in a practical way and eye-opening on a whole other level.
I recommend this book for anyone who is an educator of any age, anyone who has kids or just for themselves to get from under the yolk that digital technology holds over us.
Thought provoking and life changing advice.
It is not very often that a review book stirs me enough to buy a hardback but this is one.
Written in a straight forward easy to read and process manner, this book is useful in a practical way and eye-opening on a whole other level.
I recommend this book for anyone who is an educator of any age, anyone who has kids or just for themselves to get from under the yolk that digital technology holds over us.
Thought provoking and life changing advice.
July 16, 2025
Strong overview of dangers of algorithm influence and the need for strategies and policies to address this. I thought some social analysis was naive like quoting Obama to say that policy follows change in opinion, suggesting that if we inform ourselves better the policy will therefore improve.
however, I found some points raised concerning enough to reflect on my lifestyle and digital diet and will plan a switch to a "dumb phone"
however, I found some points raised concerning enough to reflect on my lifestyle and digital diet and will plan a switch to a "dumb phone"
October 23, 2025
I do not think that I have ever given a book a one star but had to with this book. I found this book boring, slow, dragged on, had no answers to really cutting back on social media and not be sucked in all the time. I wasted my money and time which is a shame as I really thought this book help but made no difference at all. This is a real disappointment and do not waste your time or money and I wouldn't recommend this book to a book club or general read.
May 24, 2025
Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…
… that I need to separate and prioritise my own use - what’s important, what I enjoy and what I’ve fell into through laziness that’s totally unnecessary. An important book for 90% of society, and especially vital for us to reflect and remember that these screens are optional
… that I need to separate and prioritise my own use - what’s important, what I enjoy and what I’ve fell into through laziness that’s totally unnecessary. An important book for 90% of society, and especially vital for us to reflect and remember that these screens are optional
May 25, 2025
This is a brilliant and vitally important book that everyone should read. The author is a highly experienced academic at UCL and draws on her and her team's extensive research to offer a multitude of valuable and sometimes disturbing information about smartphone use. She writes in a very accessible style and there is some great advice too. Recommended reading.
July 21, 2025
The most disturbing thing for me in this book was the evidence of the way the algorithms amplify, even introduce negative states of mind, creating negative echo chambers and will use seriously disturbing unregulated content to do so, and then the extremely tragic effects that this has had on some young people, not to mention the impacts on everyone else.
July 30, 2025
This book really opened my eyes to how addicted I was to my phone and how much I rely on it. It allowed you to take an honest look at the impact of technology both good and bad. I while this book focuses on children and teens it has some really solid advice for everyone. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
September 24, 2025
It's clear I'm not the target audience for this book and whilst there are parts aimed at all, I just found it a rather empty read. I think that once you're already familiar with algorithms, echochambers and the social polarising effects of social media then this book isn't going to offer you any new information or insights.
October 14, 2025
It's a great introduction to the history of the internet, the attention economy, and gives parents tools and ways to start conversations about a healthy digital diet with their children.
However, as a happily childless 26 year old woman, I don't think I was the target audience for this book. I would have also appreciated a deeper dive into the ethics and regulation of online spaces.
However, as a happily childless 26 year old woman, I don't think I was the target audience for this book. I would have also appreciated a deeper dive into the ethics and regulation of online spaces.
October 19, 2025
I will echo what other reviewers have said about not being the intended audience for this book, not having any children of my own. There is definately a focus on parenting around smartphones.
That being said it did hit on why I picked this book up and gave me things to consider when trying to manage my own smartphone useage.
That being said it did hit on why I picked this book up and gave me things to consider when trying to manage my own smartphone useage.
October 25, 2025
The book title is quite misleading – its contents are most relevant and helpful for parents. This is required reading if you’re a parent and feeling super anxious yourself about your child’s future especially after reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Very, very helpful. I plan to revisit this in the coming years.
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