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The Tech Diet for your Child & Teen

Written by Brad Marshall

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120 pages, about 2 hours of reading

Family & Relationships

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About this book

Are you a parent struggling to set healthy, effective rules around technology in your house? Or have you already set clear parameters but find yourself outsmarted by your tech-savvy kids? Are you sick of hearing technology experts throw statistics and research at you with few practical parenting strategies on offer? Brad Marshall, The Unplugged Psychologist, is on the front line helping parents deal with the dominance of gaming and problematic technology use. His clinic, the Internet Addiction Clinic @ Kidspace, was one of the first in Australia established to help young children, teenagers and families whose lives are totally torn apart by technology. The Tech Diet for your Child and Teen provides real-life strategies that any parent can implement to create a healthy balance and put your kids' development first. Based on solid psychological research explaining why screen addiction is so powerful, Brad's jargon-free advice gives a clear plan for parents who have had enough and are serious about changing the way their kids use and interact with technology. The Tech Diet for your Child and Teen contains: Ways to apply workable solutions for excessive internet use and gaming rather than fighting about it Advice on how to take control of the Wi-Fi and manage smartphones and data Practical tips to help survive the school holidays How to tackle kids telling you they are doing 'homework' while switching screens A holistic plan that puts your child's wellbeing first, screens second Special information for children with conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety and depression PRAISE FOR THE TECH DIET FOR YOUR CHILD & TEEN "Brad Marshall is an Australian psychologist working at the front line of problematic gaming and technology usage. He shares a common-sense practical approach to helping parents to tame excessive and unhealthy digital habits . His book is easy to read - seriously easy - and his Tech Diet does not require the digital amputation of complete banning, which is good news for everyone. If you are worried with what is happening in your home - this is the book for you!" Maggie Dent, Bestselling parenting author, educator and speaker

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Tech Diet for your Child & Teen, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 6 hours
  • intermediate
  • informative
  • practical
  • concerned

Brad Marshall's 'The Tech Diet for your Child & Teen' serves as a crucial guide for parents navigating the complexities of digital technology in their children's lives. The book posits that excessive screen time and unchecked digital engagement can have detrimental effects on development, mental health, and family dynamics. Marshall outlines a practical, step-by-step framework, the 'Tech Diet,' designed to help parents establish healthier boundaries and foster a balanced relationship with technology. It emphasizes the importance of intentional parenting, open communication, and creating a supportive home environment to mitigate the risks associated with constant digital immersion, ultimately aiming to empower families to reclaim their time and attention.

“"The goal isn't to demonize technology, but to master its role in our lives and our children's."”

Key themes

The Importance of Boundaries and Structure
A central tenet of the book is that clear, consistent boundaries around technology use are essential for healthy child development and family harmony. This theme emphasizes that parents must actively set limits, create rules, and enforce consequences rather than passively allowing technology to dictate family life. It frames boundaries not as restrictive, but as protective and empowering tools that provide security and predictability for children.
Digital Well-being and Mental Health
This theme explores the profound impact of digital technology, particularly excessive screen time and social media, on the mental and emotional health of children and teens. The book likely details how constant digital engagement can contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, attention deficits, and body image issues. It advocates for mindful tech use as a critical component of overall psychological health, providing strategies to mitigate these risks.
Fostering Real-World Connections and Activities
This theme underscores the necessity of balancing digital engagement with robust real-world experiences, social interactions, and physical activities. The book advocates for intentionally cultivating hobbies, outdoor play, face-to-face communication, and family time as antidotes to digital over-reliance. It highlights the irreplaceable value of offline experiences for developing empathy, creativity, problem-solving skills, and physical health, promoting a rich and varied childhood.

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