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Left to Their Own Devices?: Confident Parenting in a World of Screens

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The new, fully revised edition of Katharine Hill’s lifeline for parents navigating the digital world

Today, questions surrounding technology, screen time, online school and parenting are very real, and even more so following the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents need answers!

Katharine Hill, author of A Mind of Their Own , explores the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children, giving up-to-date practical advice on all the important issues. She addresses the impact of everything from screen time, social media, and gaming to more serious issues such as online bullying, grooming, and pornography. This third edition, complete with up-to-the-minute research, has been comprehensively revised in the light of the pandemic, offering new content and fresh insight into how we can confront recent technological challenges and changes.

Whether cradling a newborn or riding the roller coaster of the teenage years, a stranger to Snapchat or have two thousand followers on Twitter, this book is for moms and dads who not only want “cope” with bringing up children in the age of digital technology, but to be on the forefront--confidently parenting in a post-pandemic world of screens.

208 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2022

8 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

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Katharine Hill

21 books2 followers

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5 stars
25 (35%)
4 stars
31 (44%)
3 stars
8 (11%)
2 stars
6 (8%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Claire Nolan.
210 reviews9 followers
November 17, 2020
My mom brought this book back from Scotland with her. I think it would be a great fit for a family just realizing that they don't have the best boundarires with tech. Decent info and strategies to help with kids who have developed affection with a screen.


How I rate books:
5 Stars= I absolutely loved it, felt very moved. Extraordinary. I rarely give this rating.
4 Stars=
3 Stars= I enjoyed it but wasn't wowed. My most common rating
2 Stars=
1 Stars= The kind of book that I feel shouldn't have been published bc it might discourage some from becoming readers
Profile Image for Laura Taylor.
176 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2020
Really easy read with anecdotal evidence balanced with factual information. Great for us on the verge of buying our eldest's first smart phone. Sound advice for all parents wanting to navigate online existence with children.
2 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2017
How many of us right now are staring at our bright screens. What we do is mimicked by our children and as parents we need to understand the pressures, the addictive nature and what can come through these screens we hand over to our children.

Today’s digital world changes rapidly and can act as a modern day drug that can be accessed any time, any where.

This book takes a sensitive but practical approach on helping families understand the benefits and dangers of the digital world, and the devices that give our children access to it. It covers topics such as parenting styles, unity in approach, social media, screen time, sexting, pornography, grooming and online bullying, addiction and discernment.

If you’re looking for an easy to read on a topic that is only going to become broader and more complex as our digital lifestyles change and adapt. Then I highly recommended this book for your
Profile Image for Jonathan Thomas.
335 reviews18 followers
January 26, 2023
This is a clear, comprehensive and sane look at the digital world and children/ teens.

Hill fills the book with anecdotes, references to studies, articles and facts, gives simple steps, and fills it all with compassion.

There are regular cartoons that reinforce her points with humour.

Even though it was written 5 years ago, it is still relevant.

Lots to think about and implement.
Profile Image for Ben Kayser.
23 reviews
December 10, 2023
If you’re already fully aware of the dangers of media with children, this book doesn’t provide anything new or helpful. Virtually no practical recommendations, and the recommendations given are either “just talk to your kids” or half-measures that won’t do much. Tech Wise Family is a much better book that offers more radical solutions and practices for families.
Profile Image for Danielle.
73 reviews3 followers
August 23, 2024
I was really yucked out by the dated approach to social media for kids - some of the advice on screen time in general was good, but much of this book was from 2017-2019 and it shows. Research on the impact of media on kids’ mental health and general wellbeing has come a long way.

Would not reread or recommend.
81 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2022
Good to remember to keep an open dialogue about how our children are using their devices.

We don't want to stunt creativity and positive social interactions but it good to be aware (not fearful) of the risks involved in using the Internet.
Profile Image for Ian Bennett.
13 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2017
This book is worth reading if you have concerns about your children, social media and the Internet. It includes an appendix of useful links and websites which is very helpful.
Profile Image for Rena Brown.
203 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2018
A very good, down to earth read with excellent advice on how to parent in the digital age and lots of ideas for essential conversations to have with our modern tweens and teens.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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