12 Comments
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Parfums D’Imperfiction's avatar

A fantastic take on this book. Measured and nuanced as it deserves for a hot topic that nevertheless requires a lot more attention by parents, regulators, technologists and society at large.

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

Thank you. And yes, I do hope the issue receives a larger spotlight than it's getting at the moment.

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Annemieke's avatar

Having two adolescent sons of my own and two bonusdaughters, I am very interested in this book. And I just found and got this book in the Dutch translation. Thanx for the review!

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

Ah, excellent. Please let me know what you make of it.

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Evergreen Tech Education's avatar

As a school teacher and a parent, The message of this book is going to be increasingly more important. Especially the fact that parents assume that the internet is more safe than the outdoors when in reality the opposite is true! Thanks for the write up!

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

Thanks for reading. I work in education too, which is why this was an especially sobering book.

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Zimmy's avatar

Thank you! I've added it to my list 🙏🏼

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

I think you'd find it really interesting.

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Domingo's avatar

Thanks- I’ve just ordered a copy. Looking forward to reading this.

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

Wonderful. Please let me know what you think of it.

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Domingo's avatar

Finally got around to reading this. I found it to be very persuasive and quite alarming. I was glad to see that I had already been following some of Haidt’s suggestions concerning the appropriate age for smartphone access. The book increased my suspicions regarding the effect of social media apps on kids and I will definitely be following his tips.

I was initially resistant to his ideas on safetyism, perhaps because I’m prone to a defend mode mindset. Ultimately, I was convinced that a reasonable level of risk is beneficial for developing minds. My youngest child leans more towards discover mode. I’m now more willing to let her explore those instincts.

Some of the assertions that were based on gender seemed a bit old fashioned, but there was probably truth to some of them. The problem with books that reference scientific studies is that the reader should follow up with their own research, though I imagine few actually do.

Still, I think everyone will find this work to be fascinating and impactful.

Thanks for the recommendation!

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Dariush Alavi's avatar

Domingo, thanks very much for taking the time to write this.

Yes, in an ideal world, we'd all be able to read up on the scientific studies quoted in these books.

I wish you and your family all the very best.

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