Raising Generation Tech - Softcover

Today's children are being raised as ‘digital natives' in a world dominated by popular culture and technology. TV shows, computers, video games, social networking sites, advertisements, and cell phones too often have an unnecessarily strong-and negative? influence on children. But pulling the plug just isn't an option in a world where being connected is essential for success.

In Raising Generation Tech, noted parenting and new-media expert Dr. Jim Taylor explores how popular culture and technology shape children's lives. The essential message from Raising Generation Tech is that excessive or unguided exposure to popular culture and technology is not good for children. Rather than offering the usual ‘end of days' scenario, Dr. Taylor offers a balanced and optimistic perspective that offers parents insights and practical information they need to ensure that popular culture and technology are tools that benefit their children rather than weapons that hurt them.

Six Messages From Raising Generation Tech:

• Popular culture may be the powerful influence on children today and most of that influence is not healthy to children.
• Children are being exposed to technology earlier than ever without proper limits or guidance.
• Excessive exposure to popular culture and technology has been linked to many childhood problems including shorter attention spans, lower grades in school, increased sexual activity and drug use, and obesity.
• Too early and unguided immersion in popular culture and technology will actually hinder rather than better prepare children for life in the digital world.
• Key areas in which parents should focus their child-rearing attention include their children's self-identity, values, thinking, relationships, and physical and mental health.
• The goal for parents is not to disconnect their children, but rather to expose them to popular culture and technology when they are developmentally ready and then give them the perspectives, attitudes, and tools they need to thrive in this digital age.

"Raising Generation Tech argues convincingly that children should be raised by their parents, not by popular culture or technology. Dr. Taylor tackles this difficult task with state-of-the-art psychological theory, the latest research, engaging anecdotes, and a healthy dose of sensitivity and humor. Raising Generation Tech is a must read for parents who want their children to thrive in this media-fueled world (which means all parents!). Larry Rosen, Ph.D., author of iDisorder: Understanding Our Obsession With Technology and Overcoming its Hold on Us

"Raising Generation Tech will be an eye opener for parents! Rather than offering the usual ‘end of the world' scenario, Dr. Jim Taylor offers a balanced perspective that gives parents the insights and practical information they need to ensure that popular culture and technology are tools that benefit their children rather than weapons that harm them." Michele Borba, Ed.D., TODAY show contributor and author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions: 101 Answers to Your Everyday Challenges and Wildest Worries

Jim Taylor, Ph.D., Psychology, has consulted with young people, parents, and educators for more than 27 years. He has been a speaker at hundreds of elementary and secondary schools, education associations, youth-sports programs, and performing-arts organizations around the world.

Jim is the author of 14 books, four of which are parenting books including Positive Pushing: How to Raise a Successful and Happy Child, Your Children are Under Attack: How Popular Culture is Destroying Your Kids' Values, and How You Can Protect Them, Your Children are Listening: 9 Messages They Need to Hear from You, and, now, Raising Generation Tech: Prepare Your Children for a Media-fueled World. He publishes Prime Family Alert!, a bi-monthly e-newsletter and blogs on parenting for psychologytoday.com, huffingtonpost.com, and other websites around the U.S.

Jim has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Fox News Channel, ABC's World News This Weekend, and the major television network affiliates around the country. He has participated in many radio shows. Dr. Taylor has been an expert source for articles that have appeared in The London Telegraph, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Outside, Men's Health, and many other newspapers and magazines.

Jim lives north of San Francisco with his wife, Sarah, and his daughters, Catie and Gracie.

Jim can be followed on Facebook and Twitter. You can view Jim's interviews and video newsletters on his YouTube channel. To learn more, visit www.drjimtaylor.com.