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.
RELEASING SUMMER 2023
THE PHONE BOOK RESOURCES
BOOK CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Why Tech Companies Want You Staring at Your Screen
Chapter 2: Your Digital Footprint (A.K.A. Your Digital Reputation)
Chapter 3: Detecting Disinformation – Sleuthing Truth from Lies and Fake Stuff
Chapter 4: Social Media – Welcome to Disneyland
Chapter 5: FOMO, FOJI, and Text Slang Galore
Chapter 6: Zombie Land – Is Tech Addiction A Thing?
Chapter 7: Creepy People – Stranger Danger Online
Chapter 8: Cyberbullying and Digital Drama – Ugh.
Chapter 9: Random Stuff Just for Fun
Chapter 10: You and Your Phone – A Force for Good
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
“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