DO NOT DISTURB

A comprehensive guide designed to help readers understand and improve their relationship with technology and “make space for joy.”

This engagingly crafted book, written by two psychologists from the Screens & Gaming Disorder Clinic in Sydney, Australia, decodes the mechanisms behind smartphone dependency and offers practical strategies for cultivating a healthy relationship with technology. The authors explain the physiological and psychological feedback loops that shape developing brains and reveal the strategies that tech companies use to manipulate the brain’s reward and warning centers, hooking the user’s attention. Marshall and Hassock divide their material into 10 chapters, each covering one step that’s supported by a toolkit packed with clear questions and advice delivered in digestible, bite-size bullet points. The ideas include tracking time spent on apps, developing emotional regulation skills, and fostering offline connections with friends and family. Infused with warmth and optimism, this approachable, nonjudgmental work blends clinical insights with scientific evidence. Bohémier’s cheerful full-color spot art and background illustrations, which include depictions of racially diverse young people, amplify the friendly tone without undermining its seriousness. This book isn’t anti-technology; it’s a user-friendly guide for teens who are heavily invested in electronic devices and seeking a healthier balance. It will also serve as a useful resource for adult caregivers who are tackling the challenges of supporting technology-addicted teenagers.

Put down your phone and pick up this valuable and accessible read for everyone navigating the digital age.