Book Review
A short overview of this book
The Tech Users Guide to the Digital World by Lori Getz is a book for tweens and teens about how to stay safe online and to use the internet properly.
The book that all tweens and teens need, especially if you want your kids to have some tools to be safe and responsible whilst being online. It provides some great information that is presented very conservatively – so you don’t need to stress about your child being exposed to explicit information about pornography or sexting.
I think this is a book that all tweens and teens should be handed along with their first phone as it is an invaluable conversation starter.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 12 to 16 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of The Tech Users Guide to the Digital World by Lori Getz from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, and I wanted to share with you a great book I recently came across. It’s called Tech Savvy Users Guide to the Digital World by Lori Getz. Now, this book is specifically for teenagers, so if you have a teen in your life, this might be just what you’re looking for.
I actually heard about this book from a fellow peer, Liz Walker, who does workshops with teenagers. She highly recommended it, so I decided to give it a go. And let me tell you, when a book comes recommended by someone in the field, it’s usually a good sign!
The book is quite big, with 78 pages of valuable information. It was last updated in 2016, so you know it’s up-to-date. I have a twelve-year-old daughter myself, and I’m planning to give it to her and see how she finds it. Some of the topics might be a bit advanced for her, but I think it’s important to start these conversations early.
What I really like about this book is that it provides scenarios and examples that teenagers can relate to. It presents different outcomes and discusses the best and worst case scenarios, which I find really helpful. It’s the kind of book you can revisit whenever you need a refresher.
Lori Getz covers a wide range of topics in the book. She starts off by talking about the concept of a digital tattoo, which I found quite interesting. Instead of calling it a digital footprint that can disappear, she explains that it’s more like a tattoo that stays with you forever. It really made me think about how information collects and stays online.
Privacy is another important topic she addresses. She defines it as having control over who sees your information, which is a great way to think about it. She also talks about YouTube and the differences between strangers, acquaintances, and friends. It reminded me of that line from The Wizard of Oz, lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! I thought it was a clever way to approach the subject.
Now, when it comes to the chapter on porn, I have to say it’s quite light and vague. Lori acknowledges that sometimes you might come across things you don’t want to see online. She mentions explicit content without explicitly naming it, probably to make it more accessible to conservative parents. I understand her approach, as it’s important to strike a balance between providing information and being sensitive to different perspectives.
Lori also talks about some golden rules for online behavior. She emphasizes the importance of not disobeying direct orders, not lying, and not being disrespectful. She gives an example to illustrate these rules, showing how breaking them can lead to conflict with parents. It’s a great way to help teenagers understand why parents set rules about the online world.
One aspect I really appreciate about this book is that Lori discusses the topic of spying or not spying on your kids. She offers alternative ideas for parents who want to monitor their children’s online activities, like using a ceramic piggy bank to store passwords. It’s all about finding a balance between trust and safety.
Lori also takes the time to explain how the teenage brain works and why they sometimes make certain decisions. It’s a valuable insight that can help both parents and teenagers understand each other better.
Overall, I think this book is fantastic. It’s a detailed guide for navigating the online world, and it’s not overly mainstream like some other books out there. It’s available on Amazon, so it’s easily accessible. And at just $15 Australian (around $9-10 American), it’s definitely worth the investment.
I hope you find this review helpful, and I highly recommend checking out Tech Savvy Users Guide to the Digital World by Lori Getz. It’s a resource that every parent should have when it comes to talking to their teens about online safety and responsibility. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Cheers!
