Wired Child Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age
“Dr. Freed has crafted something here that is sensible, impeccably researched, fairly presented and most of all a message of hope.”
“This is an amazing book! A superb piece of scholarship and writing.”
“[Wired Child] answers the question of why Steve Jobs limited his children’s access to and use of technology.”
“Every parent needs to read this book…. Get it. You might get mad, and that may be a good thing.”
“A highly readable, timely, and much-needed resource for parents and anyone who cares about children’s health and well-being.”
“An important book! Freed’s insights spark a critical conversation on InfoTech myths and how kids can benefit from wise use of technology.”
“Get this book! This book is well researched and is illustrated by real clinical cases. If you care about your kids and family, this book is a must read!”
A practical guide to building your child’s bond with family and fostering school success amid the allure of digital screens
Kids’ obsessive use of video games, social media, and texting is eclipsing their connections with family and school—the two most important contributors to their well-being. The result: a generation of kids who suffer from soaring rates of emotional and academic problems, with many falling prey to an epidemic of video game and internet addictions.
In Wired Child, learn why a bevy of social media friends won’t keep teens from feeling empty inside and turning to cutting for relief. See how our kids have become smartphone experts who struggle in reading, math, and the other educational basics that colleges consider in deciding admissions. And discover how many “child-friendly” technologies are depriving kids of joy in the real world, putting them at risk for device addictions.
Wired Child gives you the confidence and skills you need to safely navigate your children through a rapidly shifting media landscape. Dr. Freed offers concrete parenting strategies that will help you create the strong family kids need and encourage their school success. You’ll also learn how to protect kids from destructive tech addictions, and instead guide them to use technology productively as a positive force for their future. More about the book
Richard Freed, Ph.D., is a child and adolescent psychologist and a leading authority on raising children in the digital age. He is the author of the book Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age, is a contributor to the Huffington Post, and his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, on NPR, CNBC, and other media platforms. Dr. Freed speaks internationally to groups of parents, teachers, and health care providers. Receiving his professional training at Cambridge Hospital / Harvard Medical School and the California School of Professional Psychology, he is on the advisory boards of Families Managing Media and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood’s Children’s Screen Time Action Network. Dr. Freed lives in Walnut Creek, California and is the father of two girls. Read full bio
Appearance by Dr. Freed on CNBC (fast forward to the 2:10 mark when show starts):
Appearances by Dr. Freed on Fox2 Mornings on 2:
Dr. Freed at Oct, 2018 Kaiser Permanente-National Alliance on Mental Illness Conference
The Latest from Dr. Richard Freed's Blog
12/29 Dr. Freed Quoted in NY Times on Unboxing Videos and Dopamine
Chavie Lieber's New York Times' article highlights the LOL Dolls toy phenomenon and I describe how unboxing videos impact kids' brains. Read more
10/15 Dr. Freed in NY Times on Blaming Tech Users for Their Obsessions
Nellie Bowles' New York Times' article reveals how those who have hooked us on tech are now claiming it's really our problem, with no real mention of its impact on children.04/28 Dr. Freed’s Wall Street Journal Article on Delaying Kids’ Smartphones
The Wall Street Journal graciously asked me to write an article about why parents should come together in groups such as Wait Until 8th and Concord Promise to push back the age when kids get smartphones, with a counter argument taken by Alexandra Samuel.