Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family

by Ash Brandin

Screen time and education influencer known as The Gamer Educator takes the judgment out of parenting alongside screens and gaming, carving a new, well-researched path to managing screen time that is actionable and beneficial for the entire family.
 
Parents are feeling mounting pressure to minimize screen time, but are struggling to do so in our technologically driven world. In contrast to the fear and pressure parents are facing, Ash Brandin's Power On offers a calm and reassuring message that keeps the wellbeing of the whole family in mind.

Power On powerfully reframes our current dialogue around technology, beginning with the morality placed on screen time and leisure, and the systemic factors contributing to screen time that are being placed at the feet of exhausted caregivers. Brandin replaces fear with empowerment, giving caregivers tools and strategies for safely incorporating tech into their children's lives guiding children to having a healthy relationship with screens, with easy to implement approaches such

The ABCs of the Screentime Management Elements – Access, Behavior, Content The Managing Online Safety S.T.A.R. – Settings, Time, Ads/App Store, Restriction N.I.C.E. Screentime Boundaries – Needs, Input, Consistent, Enforceable And several other sets of steps, tools, and strategies to understand, manage, and effectively utilize tech in parenting.  
With today's parenting advice being awash with unhelpful negative judgements on screens and little realistic actionable advice, Ash Brandin provides timely, well‑informed, realistic advice that will empower readers to find a balance with screen time that works for everyone in the family. 

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Technology

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Laura Danger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this! I appreciate the way the author destigmatizes the use of screens by adding context and helping the reader understand what's really going on when we engage with and/or disconnect from technology. We know abstinence doesn't work, and Brandin's book gives helpful guidance in taking a tailored approach to tech that meets individual and family needs. I've already used some of the skills I picked up from reading it, and I have been left with plenty of points to mull over. So valuable!

[Hannah Brown]

Lots of thoughts to unpack after reading this book! As someone who has subscribed to The Anxious Generation approach, I wanted to read this book to potentially challenge my thoughts and feelings around screens. This book did challenge my assumptions, and though I didn’t agree with everything Brandin claimed, I thought it was still a helpful and valuable book.

After finishing the book, I wont be changing anything with our family tech plan (for now!), but I thought Brandin offered so many helpful tips for families who choose to include tech/video games in their family culture. She believes that we tend to blame screens for everything and it’s often a parenting problem rather than a screen problem. (I would still argue it’s largely a screen problem and we/our kids don’t stand much of a chance against screens.. BUT still a lot of helpful stuff to find more success with screens)

A must read for families using tech regularly in their home.

[Mikayla Ockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came into this book extremely biased and the first couple chapters were definitely confirming my bias. I originally read this book thinking that the author was pro limitless screens and I would disagree with everything but ended up realizing that our approaches are actually very similar.

Not to use screens as a reward, provide consistent access, have good filters and settings, prioritizing hand on learning in school instead of relying on tech, researching content before allowing your kid to use it etc.

I gained a lot of respect for the author and it was helpful to hear from someone who loves video games and soften my opinion on them even if my routine stays mostly the same— I can see how there can be a place for them!

A few acronyms I want to remember:
-ABCs if screen time Access, Behavior, Content- content section in general was SO helpful! I feel like there e not a lot of resources on free to play vs paid games, how dopamine works with gaming, what content to be strict on etc. this was super helpful for me to articulate how we need to think of all three of these thibgs

-Use NICE Rules to set a boundary: Need, Input, Consistency, Enforcement

-Use STAR to set up a device in a way that is ready for kids to use:
Settings
Time
Ads/App Store
Restrictions

-Need to revisit this book when we decide to add video games

-Addicted players play to suppress a bad feeling, not in order to achieve a good one

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. They made a lot of good points and there are a few things I’ll be adjusting to our screen schedule and even just how I think.

[Ashley Clave · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jessie]

I appreciate Ash's content because it is level-headed and thoroughly researched and considered for real-world application. This book is a natural continuation of their work.

[Debbie Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different than I expected, but I don’t follow this content creator on IG.

I liked the neutral approach to screens (screens are neither bad or good—it depends on the purpose and goal of the screen). It’s important to practice consistency and safety for kids access to screens.

There were a lot of helpful tips:

Like, checking how the content works without access to the internet.

The author suggested the ABCs of screen time as a guideline : Access, Behavior, Content

I liked when the author talked about monitoring your kids behavior and asking your kids questions when they have big feelings around screens. Can you help your kid replicate these emotions outside of screens?

The author suggested the STAR acronym when setting up a device: Settings, Time, Ads/Apps, and Restrictions.

I hadn’t thought about free to play vs games that you buy outright. Paid games don’t rely on ads, and sometimes these ads are not appropriate for kids. or you can try turning off the wifi to stop ads.

I also really liked how the author suggested that we adults evaluate our own screen time as we have our kids evaluate theirs. I tried this with my teen and it was a good discussion!

I do wish this book talked more about safety around social media.

Overall I thought this was a helpful book as a parent of teens.

[Abigail E]

••• ARC REVIEW •••
📖 Power On by Ash Brandin
Do I recommend: Yes, for parents or caregivers
***Available now***

Y’all know nonfiction is not my fave but at all, but if you’re going to write nonfiction…please do it like @thegamereducator!

If anyone else was made anxious (ahem) by another popular book exploring technology and kids, might I suggest this book as an incredibly helpful, supportive, and informative palate cleanser?

Ash starts of with what the research says (made accessible and understandable by their straightforward writing style), then helps lay out ways we can support kids in their relationship to technology, screens, etc. This book felt both supportive and practical and I am already seeing great results from implementing some of Ash’s recommendations with my own kids.

I really loved Ash breaking down why so many of us have fallen into the trap of assigning morality to screen time l, and in helping see the many ways screen time can (and does!) benefit families.

Ash’s approach is thoughtful, considerate, inclusive, and incredibly practical. I highly recommend this book to parents and caregivers, as it is filled with many useful tools! I am eager to get my hands on a physical copy that I can easily keep handy to refer back to sections.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally was interested in this book as my daughter gets closer to the age of getting a cell phone and hoping it would give me some guidance on how to navigate this. This book is mostly geared towards younger children yet I still found it really engaging and interesting!

I was honestly a little worried about reading a book on screen time because I was worried it would make me feel a lot of mom guilt. I loved how this book did the opposite by showing how screen time can benefit families when used in a way that makes sense for your family.

I really enjoyed the sections on making your children digitally literate. There is definitely a lot of food for thought in this book and I’d recommend it to any parent. My kids are 10 and 17 and I still found it useful!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Brionne Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was immensely helpful in reframing how I think about screen time, not as something inherently harmful, but as a subject worthy of curiosity and nuance. I especially appreciated how thoroughly the author grounded her arguments in scientific research, while also thoughtfully calling out popular studies that fall short or are often misinterpreted. One insight that stood out to me was the idea that we are often drawn to video games because they allow us to engage in activities where we feel capable, autonomous, and skilled, fulfilling very real psychological needs. And although the book is written primarily for parents, its insights are just as valuable for those of us without children.

[Alysha Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally this is a 4 star read, but I imagine if my children were at video-game age it would be 5 stars (lots of advice about managing gaming)

I wholeheartedly agree with Brandin’s philosophy that we shouldn’t blame screentime for challenges in childhood or parenting when it’s far more likely societal challenges, like parents having very little support, working longer hours, and having fewer accessible, safe places for children to play. This book is really valuable for any family that wants to set up a balanced perspective on screentime with many guidelines for keeping children safe on the different platforms.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a toolkit - one that is much needed when fear gets so many clicks.

It takes the approach that screens/TV/games don't have any inherent value/morality, just like everything else in our lives. It is how we use them.

I love the charts so much. It takes the information provided and breaks it down into easily digestible chunks. Even if you didn't read the book and just looked at the charts - its intensely helpful. But you should read the book.

I love that the author acknowledges that there will be some days when You Do The Thing Right and things still go awry, because we're dealing with smaller humans and sometimes its just like that.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I subscribe more to the anxious generations thoughts here, and read this book to sort of challenge those thoughts. This book says it’s a parenting problem not a screen problem a lot of the time, but I think that it is both. I enjoy that it destigmatizes screens because they’re just a part of the world as we know it. I like a lot of the approaches talked about, but I’d say it’s been more helpful for me than things I’d apply to my kid.

[Janice Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ash is an incredible advocate for parents and I hope that there is another book in the future about digital literacy topics for the teen age. Personal technology, parental controls gradually releasing as digital literacy skills build, navigating AI with our kids, etc. Ash is so skilled at recognizing both the benefits and dangers of technology while also advocating for the unique needs of parents.

So grateful for this book and the scripts offered to navigate very relatable situations.

[Courtney Castleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be rereading this again. This is the best book on screen time I've read, and there's so much to think about. I have followed Ash on social media for years and truly appreciate the take on screen time from someone who isn't just blaming parents without any consideration of the many factors that go into making decisions about screen time. I left this up on my "currently reading" for so long because I needed to keep going back and reading parts of it.

[Gello · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good discussion of managing screen time for kids. Goes into a lot of detail I didn't need, so I skimmed most of the book. Did a decent job of highlighting a lot of issues parents should consider, and put in perspective that not all screens and screentime are bad.

writing style was dry. information was good.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful guide to setting reasonable limits and boundaries on screen time. I listened to the audiobook, which was read by the author. Unfortunately, most of the examples and suggestions were included in a supplemental PDF that I wasn’t able to access through my library app. I’ll definitely recommend this one to fellow parents.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Gained lots of tips and helpful perspective for my current stage of having little kids, as well as things to consider as they grow and our tech needs change.

Listened to audiobook via my library, and only complaint was I couldn’t find where to access the PDF supplement referenced throughout the book.

[Carrie Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧4⭐️
Overall helpful way to reframe how we view screen time in a non-demonized way. Liked this better than Anxious Generation although topic is a little different/more focused. I enjoy following this creator on IG as well.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely powerful reframe and practical tools to approaching screen time. I always appreciate anyone who doesn't use fear and instead uses logic and research when approaching a difficult subject. We are growing up in a digital world, and our kids need this guidance on screens. Great book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a parenting book that not only includes detailed "what to do", but also leads not with guilt. Ash is a great writer whose experience I trust. I think this is a must-read for parents where the pandora box of screens is already open.

[Natalie Navales · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧 Pragmatic and helpful way to look at screen time for a modern family with lots of different options and ways to consider how to make it work for your household. Wish I had read this a few years ago!

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this better than the anxious generation.

[Anna Chenoweth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so validating as a parent! Full of excellent advice on how to manage screens and references to quality research throughout it all.

[A'Llyn Ettien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this very thoughtful, practical approach to thinking about and managing kids' time on all our various screen-equipped devices.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides an excellent framework for managing screen use. I should’ve bought this from the get-go rather than making it a library read.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found nuggets of advice helpful. Things that will stick. But a lot of the information wasn't new to me, or we are already doing. I wish I would have had this book about 5 years ago though.

[Erin McKittrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the advance copy! I've finished the first chapter so far. This book is already full of new concepts! Many themes and concepts are resonating with me. I love highlighters and pens/pencils and generally mark my books up. This one already has lots of color, highlighting things I don't want to forget or want to return to later.

I appreciate the author highlighting the need for parents to approach screen time from a neutral position. We have so many sources of shame that litter our modern-day parenting landscape. Let's change that. I can't imagine how removing parental shame and infusing the concept of screen time to benefit the entire family will change the parenting landscape. I wish we would apply these ideas to parenting as a whole. It's the shame and guilt that are eroding parenting and the next generation. I see this as a book that will sit on my shelf, ready for me to return to again and again.