Creating a Tech-Healthy Family: Ten Must-Have Conversations to Help You Worry Less and Connect More With Your Kids

by Andrea Davis

Cyberbullying. Pornography. Inappropriate texting. Anxiety. Depression. Screen addiction. Families, worldwide, are grappling with the Herculean task of tackling technology with their kids. “Should your kids have their own cell phone?” “What rules, consequences, rewards do you set up?” “How do you protect them from getting addicted to video games and social media? “How can you shield them from pornography?” Parents need a strategy, a workable plan to help them navigate technology while strengthening their bond with their kids. Creating a Tech-Healthy Family gives you the tools, resources, and the points of discussion to create your Family Technology Plan so you can create healthy tech boundaries and feel more confident in your ability to raise children in a digital world. Inside, you’ll discover how to host Family Tech Discussions -Build sensible boundaries when using technology as a family. -Create a Family Tech Plan to be more intentional about screen use. -Set screen time rules and guidelines that work for your family. -Answer the “Can I have a cellphone?” or “Can I have a smartphone?” question with confidence. -Learn and practice self-awareness around social media, gaming, video streaming. -Stay safe online from predators, bullies, and pornography. -Practice healthy, screen-free recharging as a family. “Andrea is a masterful teacher. [The discussion guides in this book] inspire collaboration, conversation, and accountability. Her work has changed my family, and I know it will change yours too." —Rachel Nielson, mother of two and podcaster at 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms “We’ve felt very strongly about limiting screens and using them wisely, but I kind of struggled with how to get everyone on board and keep them on board. We’ve known to be intentional. We’ve known to have restrictions. And we’ve known to protect our family from the dangers. But we were struggling with buy-in and this has helped so much!” —Steven and Sarah Harward, parents of four "I love having this resource—it's helping me navigate the challenges we are facing and will face [with technology in our home]. I love the research behind the information presented and the short, clear lesson [plans]. I also appreciate having ways to personalize our technology plan for our family’s needs." —Danielle Porter, mother of six

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2020

Reviews

[Rythia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows you how to have conversation and agree with your family about the screen time and technology use, however it doesnt really give you examples of recommended rules or family agreement based on evidence-based research on technology itself. After reading this book, readers may be still have question: so how should I manage screen time in my family? or how to best handle technology with kids?

[Thu · Rating 5 out of 5]

a clear plan to help navigating screentime conversations with your kids

I cannot recommend the book enough. I LOVE that Andrea gave us all the questions and scenarios to prep us how to lead a fair family discussion on tech/ screentime. It’s super helpful and practical. Please help yourself and your children, picking up the book, read, start creating a tech-healthy family in this noisy world, so that you can cultivate calm and connection.

[erinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful and useful

Lots of great discussion questions which will be so helpful in having good conversations with our tween about tech, social media, the internet, and managing it all! I highly recommend this book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good outline for discussions to have in an interesting and logical way as you ease your kids into tech and teach them all the positives and negatives. Started doing these as a family this summer. Love filling her on IG also.

[Bethanie Westgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has lots of good ideas, though I'm not sure all of them will work for our family. It is worth reading, if only to think about the impact our screen usage has on our children, or to think through our own family's process of allowing more technology as children become able to handle it.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resource to talk with kids about tech usage.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great ideas and encouragement for parents to have meaningful conversations with their families about technology use.