Yalda T. Uhls

This book takes a research based approach to recommend practical advice for parents concerned with the effects of digital media. Overall, the key message is that there is little evidence that technology is harmful. Rather, what matters is how technology is used and what it is taking time away from. Face-to-face social interactions are critical for development at all ages.

I appreciate two things about this book, both captured in the subtitle. Fact: The author cites numerous articles about the effect of technology and also gives fairly detailed (for this sort of book) analysis of when the research is weaker. Not Fear: Uhls takes a balanced approach to thinking about technology. She is neither a technology evangelist nor a fear monger. Overall, I would call her cautiously optimistic. I appreciate this approach, both from a parenting perspective and from a technology perspective.

As someone reasonably well versed in technology and society, a lot of the content was not new to me. Still, there was enough that was new that it was a worthwhile read, and the practical parenting tips were useful. Plus, if nothing else, learning that spatial skills can be taught fairly easily (and with video games!) made it worth the read.

The key findings of the book:

The right approach to technology is one that aligns technology to family values. There is no evidence that kids are doing worse today than in the past and, thus, no reason to believe that technology is inevitably corrupting use.

Screens are not inherently harmful. What is harmful is when screens take away from the face-to-face human interaction that is critical to learning. Like with screen time, the problem with mobile technology is not the technology itself but the time it takes away from other things (e.g., socializing and sleep). Technology does not carry the nuance of real life for social and emotional learning. Digital media does change the brain, but in a contextual, adaptive way, like anything else a person does. There is no evidence that it causes permanent changes in brain structure.

Social media, used well, can be an important tool in helping teens connect to their peers and develop their identity. A downside to social media is that it makes it so that people are nearly constantly engaged in identity management. Constant jockeying for social standing can be harmful. Multitasking is ok on simple tasks, but not complex tasks.

We read more than ever before thanks to the internet. Texting does not harm writing skills, although writing notes by hand may improve comprehension (because forces on-the-fly summarization). Technology alone cannot improve education. Technology with sufficient teacher and technical support can improve classroom outcomes. Video games are probably not bad for kids. There is strong evidence showing that video games can improve spatial skills.… (meer)