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Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26- GenresParentingNonfiction
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 3, 2026
3 people are currently reading
2511 people want to read
About the author
Michaeleen Doucleff
12 books83 followersMichaeleen Doucleff is a correspondent for NPR's Science Desk. She reports for the radio and the Web for NPR's global health and development blog, Goats and Soda. She focuses on disease outbreaks, drug development, and trends in global health.
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December 24, 2025Finished ARC 12/23.
Really interesting and immensely readable. Doucleff explains the science behind how devices and UPF hook us in by hijacking our dopamine system. She offers practical advice for how to break the cycle for you and your kids.
One gripe - I’m kind of sick of reading parenting advice by people with only one kid. Multiple kids changes dynamics a lot. So while the general info is applicable to all families, advice like “talk to your kid in the car” and “teach your kid to ride a bike independently” is much easier done when you have one child getting all of your parenting attention.
Doucleff also falls prey to seduction of stuff. To incentivize time away from screens she suggests buying your kids things (new books or craft kits). So if you’re goal for going screen-free is also anti-consumerist, the advice may grate. Again though, the general ideas are still helpful.
And just an FYI, Doucleff treats schooling as a given. Not helpful for families with young kids at home or those of us who homeschool. (Being screen-free for 2 hours after school is one of the goals, which… is not a thing for many kids, and even more during the summer break!)
Easter Egg: she refers to a book (which seems to only be available in Swedish right now) called “Smarter Than Your Phone” by Siri Helle. 👌
Really interesting and immensely readable. Doucleff explains the science behind how devices and UPF hook us in by hijacking our dopamine system. She offers practical advice for how to break the cycle for you and your kids.
One gripe - I’m kind of sick of reading parenting advice by people with only one kid. Multiple kids changes dynamics a lot. So while the general info is applicable to all families, advice like “talk to your kid in the car” and “teach your kid to ride a bike independently” is much easier done when you have one child getting all of your parenting attention.
Doucleff also falls prey to seduction of stuff. To incentivize time away from screens she suggests buying your kids things (new books or craft kits). So if you’re goal for going screen-free is also anti-consumerist, the advice may grate. Again though, the general ideas are still helpful.
And just an FYI, Doucleff treats schooling as a given. Not helpful for families with young kids at home or those of us who homeschool. (Being screen-free for 2 hours after school is one of the goals, which… is not a thing for many kids, and even more during the summer break!)
Easter Egg: she refers to a book (which seems to only be available in Swedish right now) called “Smarter Than Your Phone” by Siri Helle. 👌
Displaying 1 of 1 review