The Phone Book

Cover of The Phone Book by Jessica Speer and Illustrated by Lesley Imgart along side endorsement by Diana Graber - Author of Raising Humans in a Digital World

Book Review on Good Morning TV (2 minutes)

BOOK SUMMARY: So . . . you got a phone! You can text your friends, play games, and take cool pictures! You have the whole world in your pocket—power to be used as a force for good or, um, not so good. But have no fear —The Phone Book is here! Packed with research-based explanations, techy tidbits, and stories, this book explores healthy screen habits and ways to stay safe online. Plus, fun activities and secret codes reveal the power of your phone and your superpowers to wield it as a force for good.

BOOK ACCOLADES

THE PHONE BOOK RESOURCES


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Cyberbullying Vs. Digital Drama

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Dad and two preteen daughters sitting at table staring at their phones. Text: How to Talk to Kids About Digital Footprints

How to Talk About Digital Footprints

How can caregivers explore online reputations in a way that connects with kids and teens? This post explores these questions and more. Full post

Girl with braces smiling and holding a cell phone. Text: Three Words Tech-Savvy Kids Understand

3 Words Tech-Savvy Kids Understand

Many apps and games are designed to keep users engaged and scrolling.  Kids become more informed tech consumers when they understand the tech business model.  Full post

photo of boy in middle school staring at his phone. Title" Yes, Sexting Happens in Middle School - How to Talk to Your Kids About It"

Yes, Sexting Happens in Middle School

According to KidsHealth, there are various reasons kids are sexting, such as peer pressure, getting attention, flirting, or as a joke or dare.  Full post

Text: Parental Controls and Child Safety - Protecting Kids Online. Image of boy under covers on a digital device

Parental Controls & Child Safety

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5 Statistics About Kids & Screens

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Mindful Vs. Mindless Screentime

This article defines mindful and mindless screentime and offers ways to help kids become more aware of their own screen behaviors. Full post

Mom and child on couch, the child is looking at her phone. Title: Helpful Tips for Family Tech Agreements

Family Tech Agreements

Besides establishing boundaries for screens, tech agreements encourage families to come together and discuss healthy technology use. Full post

Dad and young daughters looking at their phones. Text: 5 Family Conversations that Support Healthy Screen Habits

Supporting Healthy Screen Habits

Helping kids develop safe and healthy screen habits is a cornerstone of parenting today. These conversations help to build a foundation for healthy habits. Full post


THE PHONE BOOK REVIEWS

“Finally, a book for kids about the safe and responsible use of their first phone! A remarkably entertaining and informative read by Jessica Speer, The Phone Book will be hard for both kids (and adults!) to put down. It’s peppered with interesting tech tidbits and activities that keep readers engaged, and every chapter neatly wraps up with a useful checklist. From cover to cover, it is packed with great information written in a language that does not speak down to kids, and I love that she tackles the most important topic first—“Why Tech Companies Want You Staring at Your Screen.” This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. This really should be required reading for any child about to get a connected device. I have a feeling they will even thank you for it.”

Diana Graber, Author of Raising Humans in a Digital World and Founder of Cyber Civics and Cyberwise

“Jessica has done it again! This is a unique, engaging, easy read for tweens and teens! I loved the ‘reality check’ sections, the trivia, true/false sections, and the guided questions for kids. This book is fun to read and has so much real information for kids (and parents). I especially loved the message that your phone can be a source of “good” in the world..it’s how you use it! I will be recommending this to parents who attend my Tech Reset Masterclass as they navigate screen time limits and agreements with their tweens and teens.”

-Therese Connolly, Parent Coach/Psychotherapist, Host of The Parenting Reset Show Podcast and Tech Reset Masterclass for Parents of Tweens and Teens

“Buy this book— and don’t just give it to your child. Work through it with them! Talk about it! It’s an invaluable resource that will teach and prompt important discussion and reflection. I’m SO impressed and know you will be, too.”

Imagination Soup

“Tech is something we TEACH to our children, rather than just hand over to them. This guide is a wonderful companion for teaching digital citizenship skills to adolescents, helping them discover the difference between mindful and mindless screen time. From texting tips to healthy tech checklists, this is a wonderful resource for kids and digital literacy teachers alike. Just as we teach our kids how to be kind, safe, and discerning in the real world, let’s offer them that same wisdom about their 2D experience.”

-Jennifer Bochsler + Kay De Veer, Founders of Tech-Wise Littles, helping parents of littles ages 0-6 start screens safely and smartly