Is social media ruining our kids? How much Internet activity is too much? What do FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), sexting, and selfies mean for teens? Are you curious about what research says about how media and technology are affecting childhood? Supported by academic research focused on technology, Media Moms & Digital Dads breaks down complex issues in a friendly, accessible fashion, making it a highly useful and, ultimately, reassuring read for anyone who worries about the impact that media might be having on young minds. Each chapter delves into a different issue related to kids and media so parents can easily find their particular issue of concern. Dr. Uhls ends each chapter with quick takeaways, in the form of tips and guidance for parents. Dr. Uhls' expertise as a former Hollywood film executive and as a current expert on child development and the media gives her a unique and important perspective. As a trained scientist she understands the myriad studies conducted by researchers, and as a mom of digital teens, she knows what actually works and can relate to the reality of being a parent in the 21st century. Dr. Uhls also describes the primary research she conducted at UCLA, including whether extensive screen time impacts non-verbal emotional understanding, which has been covered in the New York Times, Time magazine, and on National Public Radio. There are few more important issues for parents today than helping children safely navigate the digital world in which we live, a world that provides immense opportunity for learning and connecting yet also puts kids in a position to make mistakes and even cause harm. Knowing what the facts are and when and how to get involved is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of modern parenting. Media Moms & Digital Dads offers parents reassuring and fact-based guidance on how best to manage screens and media for their children.

About the Author
Yalda T. Uhls, MBA, PhD, is an award winning child psychologist researcher and leading expert in how media affects children. She is an unequaled and balanced voice in helping parents and educators navigate the overwhelming landscape of opinions, research, facts, conversation, and misinformation surrounding the impact of media on children. In addition to her consulting and other work, Dr. Uhls works with Common Sense Media, a national non-profit, as their Director of Creative Community Partnerships and also does research with UCLA. Prior to her academic career, Yalda spent over fifteen years as a senior entertainment executive and producer at studios such as Sony and MGM. Most importantly, she is a mom of two digital teens (a boy and a girl).

Reviews
"Media Moms & Digital Dads does what every parent who has confronted the 'digital wild west' with their children so badly needs! Yalda T. Uhls seamlessly blends groundbreaking research, engaging storytelling, and practical advice. It is a must-read for every parent who is attempting to navigate a challenging media culture that is here to stay." -- Michael H. Levine PhD, Founding Director, Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and co-author, Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens "This book explains how technology has transformed the world of children's education and entertainment, and shows parents that such change is not to be feared! Yalda's deep knowledge of the research and her expertise in child psychology along with her many years as a storyteller in Hollywood make for a unique, important, and engaging perspective. As a parent and a creator of children's content, I appreciate Yalda's guidance and approach; the book is indispensable for the modern age." -- Lisa Henson, Chief Executive Officer of The Jim Henson Company, executive producer on the Emmy(R)- nominated preschool series "Sid the Science Kid," and "Dinosaur Train" "What's the best way to parent when it comes to technology? The good news is that someone has finally organized the most current research to help you make the best choices for your family. Yalda T. Uhls combines her experience as a social scientist and an entertainment executive to help make you a better Media Mom or Digital Dad." -- Cara Natterson, Pediatrician and NY Times best selling author of The American Girl: The Care and Keeping of You 1 & 2 "I'm so grateful for this book! Dr. Uhls offers practical, anxiety-reducing strategies for managing kids' media use. As a mom, she knows only too well that trying to block all access is futile. Instead she helps parents 'fight fun with fun' by making screen time happier and healthier."-- Peggy Orenstein, author, Cinderella Ate My Daughter "Educators and parents need unbiased and realistic approaches to the digital world so they can guide the next generation. In Media Moms & Digital Dads, Dr. Uhls, a mom herself, gives us a research-based resource, which is also filled with real-life takeaways and actionable steps. I greatly enjoyed this smart and sensible book. A must-read for every parent before they hand their kids a digital device." -- Willow Bay, Director of the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California and Senior Strategic Advisor for the Huffington Post "Today, parents living in the digital age often feel as though they have stepped 'through the looking glass'! The digital landscape is an ever-changing and confounding world in which to raise and educate children. Educators and parents alike are struggling with what to do with the numerous opportunities and challenges this digital age offers children in their homes and in their schools. Yalda T. Uhls new book, based on her extensive research and experience, makes her the perfect travel guide as parents all over the world try to traverse this often bumpy terrain. This is the guidebook you've been waiting for. Safe travels!" -- Reveta Bowers, Head of School, The Center for Early Education "Media Moms & Digital Dads is a well-balanced, scientifically grounded, and thoughtful roadmap of the often bewildering and ever-changing digital world in which our kids are immersed. Parents will find the author's wise advice very helpful. "-- Laurence Steinberg, Professor of Psychology, Temple University, and author of Age of Opportunity: Lessons From the New Science of Adolescence "This is a fascinating and deeply practical look at how growing up in this new and amazing digital age is impacting our kids. As the parent of teenagers, I found her analysis of how classrooms and teaching have evolved particularly insightful. Each chapter ends with a summary and some reasonable, actionable advice. Yalda's even-handed and open attitude toward all this technology in our lives, recognizing it as a positive tool even while helping us navigate the challenges, will be greatly appreciated by those who work and educate using the tools digital media afford us." -- Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation and Oscar-nominated Producer on The Croods "Many parents these days are frightened by the media's frequent depictions of 'digital dangers': aggression, sex, and cyber-bullying, to name a few. Media Moms & Digital Dads corrects many of these myths regarding Internet usage and explains the truth about digital technologies to parents in a clear and comprehensible way, based on facts from research. She provides reassuring proof that will help many parents overcome their fears about raising well-adjusted kids in the digital age... a "must read" for parents who care about facts and who raise their children in the digital age." -- Professor David Smahel, Institute of Children, Youth and Family Research Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University and co-author, Digital Youth: The Role of Media in Development "Dr. Yalda T Uhls is leading the way to help bridge the gap between the digital natives (better known as kids) and the non digital natives (better known as parents)." -- Michelle Kydd-Lee, Chief Innovation Officer for Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world's leading entertainment and sports agency "Uhls facilitates a collective parental sigh of relief that the use of digital media, if harnessed properly, can be an enriching experience." -- Foreword Reviews "The tone is commonsensical and there are 'wrapups' and 'takeaways for parents' ... [this book] is balanced, well-informed and useful." -- Geraldine Bedell, editorial director, Parent Zone



Book Information
ISBN 9781629560847
Author Yalda T Uhls
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint Bibliomotion, Incorporated
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
Weight(grams) 340g