(BE SMART ABOUT) SCREEN TIME!

Having advised kids on consent and anxiety, Brian now offers a primer on healthy technology use.

“Congratulations!” this high-energy comic opens. “You’re getting some screen time, maybe even a screen of your own”—language that will be familiar to many children and their adults. In eight quick chapters, simple cartoon figures who vary in skin tone explain how the brain’s reward system processes the dopamine hits that result from social media “likes,” the importance of establishing boundaries, and how to be a good digital citizen. Brian makes glancing references to the more dangerous aspects of unsupervised browsing, such as hate speech and “images and videos with naked people.” She tells kids to talk with parents or trusted adults about things that make them uncomfortable or upset. Throughout, Marble the cat pops up with reminders about staying safe, though a bit inconsistently. Dealing thoughtfully with a thorny, ever-evolving subject, this book will help shore up conversations about screen time and internet usage. Illuminating and instructive, the book is a first line of defense for parents and educators wanting to spark discussion or reinforce their established rules.

Necessary guidance for kids starting to navigate smartphones and social media.