Analyzes the influence of technology and social media on human development with parents and families in mind.
This is a story about a family coming of age at the same time as smartphones and social media; a multiracial family coming into its own as windows into social injustice opened up before our very screens; and a multi-parent multi-professional family with children living differently depending on which house and which combination of family members happen to be home. While it is a story about a family, it is really the story of technological and global changes unfolding on our doorsteps.
While many revile the ascendance of smartphones and social media and the way they suck us into the vortex of cyberspace, there are cultural touchpoints that reflect deeper human and technology development patterns, patterns which we would all do well to understand, no matter whether or how we choose to engage in the ever-innovating digital frontiers. Informed by research and interviews with leaders in policy, human development, ethics, and technology Loretta Brady helps readers understand the complex systemic challenges and findings related to technology and human development.
We do not have to hate or fear technology. It is neither friend nor foe. But understanding its impact on our daily lives is paramount to cultivating a healthier relationship both with our digital lives and our real, lived ones.
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At what age should a child have a smartphone or engage in social media? How much screen time is safe? Coming to terms with these and many other questions while navigating the ever-changing technological landscape is one of the greatest challenges of parenthood. To that end, licensed clinical psychologist and university professor Brady draws on her extensive research with the hope of providing some guidance. Herself the mother of five children, she doesn’t propose to know all the answers. Rather, she focuses on "technology touchpoints": time periods in child development when families might be most vulnerable to risks associated with technology and social media. Notes, an extensive bibliography, and an index clearly place this work in the academic realm, as the author thoughtfully explores topical issues that may go beyond the needs and interests of parents looking for quick, yet authoritative answers. But for parents, caregivers, and educators looking for a deep dive into the effects of technology and social media on families and children, this is a solid, well-researched choice.