Tech Savvy Parenting

by Brian Housman

   Tech Savvy Parenting will teach you to navigate and use the technology that is part of your child's life. Each chapter visually walks you through a different issue of technology that kids and teens are wading into. Brian's easy-to-follow instructions and how-to tips will help you      This full color book includes 28 photographs, 22 infographics, and 18 resources that help bring the technical information to life. Every parent struggles to find a balance with cell phones, social networks, and video games in the lives of their kids. Most parents feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to set boundaries for their kids because they don t know what to do with the technology themselves. Tech Savvy Parenting will give you the practical tools and resources needed to help your whole family use technology wisely and responsibly.

Genres: Parenting

152 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2014

Reviews

[Jordan Hoge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really, really good. I read it for a doctoral seminar on the subject of family counseling. The only downside is that it is out of date now that it is ten years old. So much has changed technologically in ten years.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sound principles, but much of the practical information has grown quite outdated. You could start with the core thought and then chase down new info on apps, tech, safeguards, etc, but the “legwork” done in this book isn’t as useful as when it was written. If a new edition came out with updated resources, built on the same core principles, it would serve as a handy guide for parents. It’s not intended to be a foundational family-building resource, but a practical guide, and with updating it could serve its purpose.

[Christine Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, practical info along the lines of the Wait until 8th campaign. I do wish there was an updated version as this book is old by technology standards.
However, the phone contract and theology of technology as well as ideas of how to talk to your kids about technology boundaries were helpful.

[Stephanie Michael Ridgell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book contains helpful information. I was happy to see the Biblical perspective throughout the book.
It’s a bit outdated, but only because it was written ten years ago. I do wish they would create a new edition with updates to current technology.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear book how to assist your child through the digital life we all live.

[Holly Scudero · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the biggest issues parents face in this modern world of ours is that of technology. How do we keep our children’s cell phone usage under control? How young is too young for Facebook? Are violent video games really going to be that terrible for our kids? Brian Housman attempts to tackle these issues and more with Tech Savvy Parenting, a guidebook for the technological newbie. Written in a friendly style that seeks to engage with parents, this book offers guidelines to help parents truly understand the myriad of ways technology affects our lives, our children, and even their futures. Learn how to set the parental controls on your teen’s smartphone, find out how to engage your kids through social media sites (without alienating them in the process), and even read up on newer online trends like video chatting. Get some ideas for talking with your kids about cyberbullying and ubiquitous Internet porn.

There are plenty of infographics to help readers better understand the statistics. There are also numerous Biblical references, which may be a bit off-putting to some readers due to the otherwise decidedly non-religious nature of this book. Overall, this book offers all kinds of valuable advice, and is a perfect starting point if you’re not sure where else to turn.

Review originally published on "San Francisco Book Review."

[Nathan Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful advise for parents dealing with issues of technology. The statistics are probably already outdated, but the wisdom about how to handle boundaries/ discipline pertaining to social media and technology will be relevant for a long time.

[Wassenario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic overview of the interaction between kids and technology in today's world. A good place to start thinking about these issues.

[Shea Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author blends concern and boundaries with grace, and I appreciated this mix.