📚 Starter Pack: For Parents New to Technology and Digital Parenting
Raising Humans in a Digital World (2019) — Diana Graber
Themes: Digital Citizenship, Digital Literacy Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral Graber offers a hopeful, practical roadmap for raising kids who can thrive in a connected world. She emphasizes digital citizenship skills like empathy, critical thinking, and privacy awareness, offering real-world activities for families to build healthy online habits while teaching digital ethics, empathy, and literacy. 
Screenwise (2016) — Devorah Heitner
Themes: Digital Citizenship, Parenting Strategies, Technology Mentoring Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral/Positive Tech Heitner encourages parents to act as mentors rather than monitors. She promotes co-viewing and co-playing in digital spaces, offering practical conversation starters and frameworks for making technology a positive tool in kids’ lives. 
Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers (2015) — Lucy Jo Palladino
Themes: Screen Time, Focus, Mental Health Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral Palladino blends neuroscience with parenting strategies to address how digital distractions erode attention. She offers clear, science-backed steps to help kids strengthen focus and resist constant stimulation in a world filled with screens. 
The New Childhood (2018) — Jordan Shapiro
Themes: Digital Literacy, Modern Parenting Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended Political/Cultural Bias: Tech-Positive Shapiro argues for embracing technology as a modern literacy tool. He suggests that instead of fearing screen time, parents should thoughtfully guide their children's digital experiences, positioning technology as an integral part of healthy development. 
Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing) (2024) — Salman Khan
Themes: AI in Education, Personalized Learning Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Author is founder of Khan Academy Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral to Optimistic Khan delivers an accessible and inspiring look at how AI can make education more personalized, inclusive, and effective. Writing as both a parent and educator, he outlines how AI tools—when used ethically—can support teachers and empower students, making this a great starting point for parents curious about the tech reshaping schools. |
Digital Minimalism (2019) — Cal Newport
Themes: Screen Time, Mindful Tech Use, Focus Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: NYT Bestseller Political/Cultural Bias: Mild Tech Skeptic / Libertarian Leaning Newport urges families to use technology intentionally, decluttering their digital lives to focus on meaningful activities. He advocates unplugging from the noise and developing a healthier relationship with digital tools. 
The Future of Feeling (2020) — Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips
Themes: Empathy, Humane Technology, AI Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended Political/Cultural Bias: Mild Progressive Phillips explores how new technologies like VR, AI, and digital interfaces can foster empathy—or destroy it. She advocates for humane tech design that centers emotional intelligence and user well-being. 
Because Internet (2019) — Gretchen McCulloch
Themes: Digital Culture, Communication, Language Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: NYT Bestseller Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral McCulloch, a linguist, unpacks how internet culture reshaped communication styles, language, and humor. With playful analysis, she explains how online habits shape new norms in everyday conversations. 
Glow Kids (2016) — Nicholas Kardaras
Themes: Screen Addiction, Mental Health, Child Development Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: NYT Mentioned Political/Cultural Bias: Strong Anti-Screen Tone Kardaras warns about the neurological impact of excessive screen time in kids, linking it to ADHD, depression, and developmental challenges. He advocates delaying exposure and limiting digital access to protect young minds. 
The Art of Screen Time (2018) — Anya Kamenetz
Themes: Screen Time Management, Parenting Strategies Audible: ✅ | Amazon Link Sources: Common Sense Media Recommended, NPR Featured Political/Cultural Bias: Neutral/Practical Kamenetz blends research and practical advice to offer a balanced guide to screen time. She encourages moderation, family connection, and flexible, non-punitive strategies that make screen management realistic for modern families. |
**The inclusion of a book on this list does not imply endorsement of all viewpoints expressed by the author. Our goal is to empower parents to engage thoughtfully with these important topics, respecting the diversity of experiences and beliefs within our school community.**
Brought to you by UPC’s Emerging Technology & Digital Learning Committee — Empowering Families for a Digital Future. 🌟
Brought to you by UPC’s Emerging Technology & Digital Learning Committee — Empowering Families for a Digital Future. 🌟
Emerging Technology Chairs: Rebecca Guglielmo & Nisha Shah - [email protected]