Talking Back to Facebook - by James P Steyer (Paperback)

About the Book

A smart, urgently needed book that helps parents and their kids navigate today's online landscape--from the founder and CEO of the nation's leading authority on kids and the media.

Book Synopsis

A smart, urgently needed book that helps parents and their kids navigate today's online landscape--from the founder and CEO of the nation's leading authority on kids and the media.

Now, more than ever, parents need help in navigating their kids' online, media-saturated lives. Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, the nation's leading kidsand- media organization, and the father of four children, knows that many parents and teachers--unlike their technology-savvy kids--may be tourists in the online world.

In this essential book, Steyer--a frequent commentator on national TV and radio-- offers an engaging blend of straightforward advice and anecdotes that address what he calls RAP, the major pitfalls relating to kids' use of media and technology: relationship issues, attention/addiction problems, and the lack of privacy. Instead of shielding children completely from online images and messages, Steyer's practical approach gives parents essential tools to help filter content, preserve good relationships with their children, and make common sense, value-driven judgments for kids of all ages.

Not just about Facebook, this comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to the online world, media, and mobile devices belongs in the hands of all parents and educators raising kids in today's digital age.

Review Quotes

"Jim Steyer is the Paul Revere of the pixel universe, warning parents of the perils of social media. Whether they're adding friends on Facebook or meeting friends at the park, kids need to be kept safe from danger. Steyer's book is an indispensable safety tool for parents everywhere."--Congressman Ed Markey, U.S. House of Representatives

"Jim's book could not be more timely."--Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City

"Smart, savvy, sophisticated, down-to-earth. A book that parents and children can read together. A conversation-starter for families."--Sherry Turkle, author of Alone Together

"A wake-up call.... To get the most benefit out of the Web's vast offerings, we need to more closely examine how we, or how our kids, are spending time online. It's a hard thesis to contradict."--Washington Post

"For two decades Jim Steyer has been among the most prescient commentators about media and our children's lives, providing essential advice to parents about how to navigate these treacherous digital interactions. If Jim's approach has a fault it is tremendous faith in information to empower parents. What a wonderful faith to have."--Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D.

"In this courageous book, Jim Steyer pulls no punches. Whether or not you agree with his critique of Facebook and its Silicon Valley siblings, you must grapple with the deep issues that he raises."--Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

"James Steyer has provided a road map to transform the seductive online world into a healthy environment for families."--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Jim Steyer is a relentless advocate for kids. Focusing on how the media intersects with their lives, Jim boldly takes on the issues, exploring the good, the bad, and the ugly alike--always the first to begin the conversation. I urge every parent to read this book, so that we can be prepared to navigate how new forms of media and communication are transforming children's lives."--Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group

"Steyer has penned a vital wake-up call for parents and government. He is a champion of both kids and the digital revolution. But he's neither giddy nor an apologist. He recognizes that companies like Facebook and Google and video game makers sway our kids, how they think and read and study and behave. If you're a parent and want some shrewd tips on parenting in this digital age and how to protect your children, read this book."--Ken Auletta, author of Googled: The End of the World as We Know It

"Steyer's 'common sense' medicine for parents, educators, and others will promote better information, better decisions, and ultimately, better health --for our kids, families and communities." --A. Eugene Washington, M.D., M.Sc., Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences, and Dean, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

About the Author

James P. Steyer has spent more than twenty years as one of the most respected experts and entrepreneurs on issues related to children's policy and media in the United States. As founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, he is responsible for the overall leadership of the nation's leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the media lives of kids and families. Steyer began his career as an elementary school teacher and went on to become a nationally respected child advocate, public interest lawyer, and Stanford professor. Jim lives with his wife and four children in the Bay Area.