About the Book
Communications technology is advancing at such speed, heralding a world of choice and opportunity, that we sometimes struggle to navigate each new turn. And yet, with technology, as with life, we need to equip our children to make good choices and to deal with all the hidden dangers, as well as to take hold of the positive opportunities. Fully revised and updated to keep pace with this quickly changing digital world, Katharine Hill's clear, informative book explores the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children. Offering encouragement, wisdom and practical advice on topics such as screen time, social media and consumer culture, as well as how to tackle some of the more serious issues of online bullying, grooming and pornography, this book is a lifeline for parents, carers and teachers in an age of digital confusion. Whether you are a new parent or living with teenagers, a stranger to Snapchat or have 500 followers on Twitter, this book is for mums and dads who want to confidently parent in a world of screens.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter 1 : Living in a Digital World
Chapter 2 : A Resource to Embrace
Chapter 3 : Parenting Styles
Chapter 4 : Too Much Screen Time?
Chapter 5 : No Face-to-Face Contact?
Chapter 6: 'Everything They Do is Online!'
Chapter 7 : Gaming
Chapter 8 : Social Media, Identity and Digital Footprint
Chapter 9 : AI
Chapter 10 : Pornography
Chapter 11 : Sending Nudes and Sexting
Chapter 12 : Online Bullying
Chapter 13 : Grooming
Chapter 14 : Internet Addiction
Chapter 15 : Consumer Culture
Chapter 16 : All Kinds of Families - All Kinds of Issues
Chapter 17 : Our Own Digital Lives
Chapter 18 : Teaching Them Wisdom
Epilogue
Appendix
About the Author :
Katharine Hill LLB JP is Director of Care for the Family, a popular author, speaker and broadcaster on family issues and a regular contributor for local and national media. She has practised as a family lawyer and leads on CFF's policy agenda representing the organisation at government level. Katharine is married to Richard, and they have four grown-up children and seven grandchildren.
Review :
I believe the issues addressed in Left to Their Own Devices? are some of the most important for today's parents - whether our children are toddlers or teens. I urge you to read it.
ROB PARSONS, OBE
FOUNDER OF CARE FOR THE FAMILY
A brilliant, evidence-based, and insightful resource to help parents take an informed and proactive approach to their family's use of screens. Offering a non-judgmental approach and practical solutions, this is a must-read for parents tackling the challenges of raising children in the digital world.
DR SUSIE DAVIES
GP AND FOUNDER OF PAPAYA
In an age where we all carry a powerful mini computer in our pockets, or often in our hands, Katharine's book offers some sound advice on how to use it wisely. Surely it can't be a coincidence that this innovation has happened at the same time that we see such a growth in anxiety, insecurity and attention problems. The book has a good balance on how we can respect and use this technology whilst protecting young brains as they develop. It is a great resource for any family navigating these issues.
DR JIM HACKING
NHS GENERAL PRACTITIONER AND MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER
In a season when so many issue instruction, pressure or advice originating from an agenda or marketing motivation, Katharine's gentle, wise book gives guidance and genuine wisdom for parents realising they are raising children not just in the 'real' world but also in an increasingly vibrant and enticing online one. She helps parents to appreciate the concerns and challenges without creating panic, and to consider their response with appropriate care, recognising that phones and the online world bring positives as well as perils. This is such a helpful book to read, I would strongly recommend it.
REVD DR KATE MIDDLETON
MIND & SOUL FOUNDATION
This book isn't about putting the clocks back on new technologies, but rather helping parents to exploit the benefits whilst resisting the harms. Katharine Hill combines up to date research with real-world wisdom to offer parents strategies that will empower healthy digital habits without alienating their kids. A hugely practical resource for raising confident, resilient and relational kids in a fast-changing digital landscape.
GLYNN HARRISON
EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY, BRISTOL UNIVERSITY
A much needed and accessible book! The anecdotes, suggestions and insights are at once equally enlightening and terrifying. This is going to help and empower a generation of parents. I will be bulk buying it to pass out to fellow parent friends who are fully engaged in this battle ourselves and alongside our children - with the screen addiction we are quick to condemn but also guiltily give in to. On this journey we need all the help we can get.
GEMMA HUNT
TV PRESENTER, CBEEBIES
Technology is a crucial part of all our lives. There are huge advantages and some pitfalls we should avoid. Katharine Hill addresses these in a very readable way. Using stories from her own family, anecdotes she has been told and drawing on research evidence, she takes parents through the maze of today's technology and the devices our children encounter daily. The cartoons support some of the humorous stories Katharine relates and most chapters have practical suggestions which many people will find invaluable.
This is a subject every parent will need to address, will be addressing or will have addressed. It would be a great book to read as a family or with other parents. Parents can be reassured by this book not to deny opportunities to their children, but to embrace technology with an awareness of the negative aspects which can lie in wait. This is a first-class read, and one which should be on parents' wish lists.
DAVE LUMSDON
PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC TUTOR, EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY; PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST FOR DBL PSYCHOLOGY
Katharine Hill has skilfully and sensitively tackled a terribly thorny subject that can provoke stress-factor-fifty levels of fruitless angst, with razor-sharp insight and unremitting authenticity. This book is a much-needed resource full of solutions, but it is far more than that. It is a true friend who constantly shouts encouragement at you from the sidelines of the parenting marathon.
DR SAMANTHA CALLAN
FAMILY POLICY EXPERT AND PARLIAMENTARY ADVISOR TO LORD FARMER
Left to Their Own Devices? offers invaluable help to any parent wanting to protect and guide their child in the complexities of today's digital world. We cannot leave our children to work it out for themselves. Parents need Katharine Hill's important advice from the word go.
NICKY AND SILA LEE
FOUNDERS OF THE MARRIAGE AND PARENTING COURSES
The iPhone and my daughter were birthed in the same year. As parents, we are raising her in an exciting but often overwhelming digital landscape, which is why I'm so glad Katharine has written this book. Bringing wisdom and hope in equal measure, Katharine gives parents and guardians clarity and advice to navigate this new 'swipe and like' culture.
IAN HENDERSON
FOUNDER OF THE NAKED TRUTH PROJECT
Katharine gives practical parenting advice on the trickiest topics and it's the kind of wisdom you only gain from experience. You'll hear stories from parents who have faced the same challenges you do, and have come out the other side. Buy this book and enjoy the careful balance of thorough research, refreshing honesty, and the brilliant humour of the illustrations. Every parent needs to know this stuff, and thanks to Katharine and Care for the Family they can!
JASON ROYCE
YOUTH EDUCATOR AND CAMPAIGNER
We might find ourselves feeling fearful, uncomfortable and unprepared for parenting in this digital age, but what we cannot do is remain silent and uninvolved. Years of youth work has shown me how most young people feel oppressed, in some way, by perceived sex pressures that are amplified by technology. We may feel powerless, but the key message of this book is that we're not! What our children need is for us to acknowledge the reality of the pressures in all young people's lives, define our messages and initiate conversations with our children that are factual, sensitive and effective. I'm grateful to Katharine for writing the book that all of us involved with raising children in the digital age need to read.
RACHEL GARDNER
PRESIDENT OF THE GIRLS BRIGADE ENGLAND AND WALES;
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP AT YOUTHSCAPE
Katharine Hill is a fount of knowledge on every issue family life throws at you, dispensing advice with compassion, humour and a healthy dose of realism.
ALEX BORTHWICK
PRODUCT MAGAZINE
This book is a must-read for any parent - full of practical wisdom and helpful tips. It is a much-needed guide for navigating the unchartered waters of parenting in this digital age.
SARAH ABELL
AUTHOR; RELATIONSHIPS COACH; FORMER AGONY AUNT FOR THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
Left to Their Own Devices? is a really good book. I don't say that very often! It's also a very sane book. My children are in their thirties. When they were young, the internet hardly existed and a screen, such as they were, was primarily the television. So this book is such an important title, especially for families who are struggling with their children's time on screen.
EDDIE OLLIFFE
FORMER CONSULTING EDITOR OF TOGETHER MAGAZINE
