Like most people, I read a lot of parenting books after I had my three boys. These books help parents understand and recognize the different milestones that mark their children’s growth. None of the child development books I read covered digital technology, a pervasive influence in the world today.
Just as our mothers and fathers worried about too much TV, today’s parents worry about their children getting lost in cyberspace. We all wonder if technology will diminish their intellectual curiosity and if interest in digital games will supersede interest in real-life interaction. Safety and privacy are also an enormous concern. I always went back and forth about the age at which I would allow my children to engage with digital devices and social media.
With Screen-Smart Parenting, Dr. Jodi Gold has provided the milestone book that will give important insights to every parent. Dr. Gold understands what it means to raise children in a world that is so different from the one in which she grew up, but as a physician and psychiatrist specializing in children and adolescents, she has an advantage over most parents. Her advice is to focus on what’s developmentally appropriate, and to pay attention to the way our children interact with social and digital media. It’s important not to completely deny access, but there should be balance and moderation. Our children need to know how to navigate this new world—and, as parents, we need to know how to guide them and make the Internet a source of positive experiences.
Screen-Smart Parenting provides a blueprint for parents today. Dr. Gold has mapped out the digital milestones and given families the tools they need to help them help their children stay on the track. In a time when there is always a new device or platform just around the corner, Dr. Gold’s book is a relevant and timely addition to any parent’s library.
TORY BURCH
CEO and designer
Mother of three