Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age

A practical guide to building your child’s bond with family and fostering school success amid the allure of digital screens

Overview

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.

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Reviews

“There is no greater threat to family life than the digital deluge we are facing. There is no better book than this one to guide you through the clever clutter of misinformation the device myth makers would have us believe. We are in the midst of a fifteen year social experiment that no one is controlling… and it’s not going so well. Dr. Freed has crafted something here that is sensible, impeccably researched, fairly presented and most of all a message of hope.”

Kim John Payne, M.Ed.

Author of "Simplicity Parenting" and "The Soul of Discipline"

“Before you buy a piece of technology for your child—or think of offering tech rewards to him or her—read this book. This is not a screed against all things tech, but rather a psychological profile of what technology can and cannot accomplish with children, puncturing many popular myths along the way. It also answers the question of why Steve Jobs limited his children’s access to and use of technology.”

Jim Trelease

Author of "The Read-Aloud Handbook"

“This is an amazing book! A superb piece of scholarship and writing. This book must receive the maximum possible exposure, it is vital to the success and survival of our families and our way of life.”

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Author of "On Combat and On Killing," coauthor of "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill"

“Get this book! Every parent needs to read 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!”

Andrew Doan, M.D., Ph.D.

Author of "Hooked on Games"

“As marketers tout screen technology as a solution to myriad childhood ills, parents need honest information about what’s best for children in a digital world. In Wired Child, psychologist Richard Freed combines facts, real-life stories, and tips into a highly readable, timely, and much-needed resource for parents and anyone who cares about children’s health and well-being.”

Susan Linn, Ed.D.

Instructor in psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and author of "Consuming Kids" and "The Case for Make Believe"

“An important book! Wired Child is a timely reminder that billion dollar tech myths don’t hold up to scrutiny. Freed’s insights spark a critical conversation on InfoTech myths and how kids can benefit from wise use of technology. His psychotherapist perspective is convincing!”

Raffi Cavoukian

Singer, founder of Centre for Child Honouring and author of "Lightweb Darkweb"

Wired Child is a handy, readable, and all-too-timely volume on the myths that have gripped American families about the value of digital tools…. Practices alleged to improve kids’ learning and family relationships actually harm them. Freed exposes the hype and fraud surrounding video games, social media, and other entertainment-based technologies, then concludes with the right corrective—not the elimination of technology, but their productive use.”

Mark Bauerlein, Ph.D.

Professor, Emory University and author of "The Dumbest Generation"

“Every parent needs to read this book. Not only is it a treasure trove of significant research that can spur positive action, it also uncovers the underbelly of our industry-culture that intentionally perpetuates harmful digital myths at the cost of our children’s optimal development. Get it. You might get mad, and that may be a good thing.”

Gloria Degaetano

Author of "Parenting Well in a Media Age", coauthor of "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill"

“This important book powerfully debunks the many harmful myths about the benefits of media and technology in the lives of children and families. Children, families and all of society have much to gain from Wired Child.”

Diane E. Levin, Ph.D.

Professor of Education, Wheelock College and coauthor of "So Sexy So Soon"

“Freed explodes technology myths with clear and compelling evidence that every parent, teacher, and family professional should read. This book shows how to reclaim our children’s well-being from tech makers and marketers.”

Joe Kelly

Author of "Dads and Daughters"

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