"Topical, wise and witty advice on phone usage from a highly respected neuroscientist."
October 20024 Book of the Month
The striking, almost provocative title and cover is bound to draw attention, and I think that is exactly what the neuroscientist author intends.
If a young person picks this up in a bookshop or library and takes it home, it is something that will be noticed by parents and they will inevitably want to read what it says about them too – and vice versa of course! However it is accessed, this is a book that will be enormously helpful to parents and young people, not least to get them talking. It is of course a very topical subject at the moment, with news of increasingly strict school bans on phones. It would be a really good idea for policy makers to read this book too!
What I particularly admire is not just the non-patronising, conversational tone and the highly accessible, engaging layout with the use of short paragraphs, callouts, cartoons, different typefaces for emphasis and witty footnotes. It is the scientifically evidenced, level-headed and balanced approach to explain both how our brain, emotions and senses work, and how the use of phones can affect these, and emphasising that this will be different at different ages.
He debunks myths: ‘square eyes’; ‘brain tumours’ etc and explains the historical context and how new technology has always attracted suspicion. But because he is so balanced and honest about there not always being an answer, when he does say things are bad and explains the science behind his warnings, this will have a real impact!
It comprehensively covers all the perceived issues with phones: misinformation and harmful images, cyberbullying and personal privacy and explains neurologically the importance of social status and communication to human beings and what vulnerabilities to harm this could create.
Throughout, he emphasises that parents are generally seeking to protect their children when they make rules or statements, even as he is gently debunking them and pointing out the obvious contradictions in some behaviour! There is also a very balanced explanation of why teachers and schools are right to be concerned…sometimes!
Fascinating, engaging and highly thought provoking, this is essential reading for families, schools and young people.
An unexpectedly brilliant dive into many perspectives, facts and advice on the use of phones and devices, and why parents act the way they do.
As a teenager, my initial reaction upon seeing the title and cover of this book was one of exasperation - it seemed like it was just going to be another piece by an adult harping on about how ‘phones are ruining your lives’. However, I was pleasantly surprised to have been proved completely wrong. Despite this book’s simple presentation, it contains a great deal of very well balanced and researched points on all perspectives of use of phones and other technology, like video game consoles. I was especially interested in how many of the common sayings and lessons that parents use to teach their children are actually long held misconceptions, and even more about the WHY parents get so hung up on your phone.... Read Full Review
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