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Children of the Screen

Why Your Kid Can’t Pay Attention Anymore

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Children of the Screen

By: Catherine J. Westbrook
Narrated by: RC Heinz
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About this listen

Are you watching your child drift further into the digital glow, losing interest in books, becoming irritable without their device, or struggling to focus on anything that isn't fast and flashing? You're not alone, and you're not imagining things.

Children of the Screen is your urgent call to action, offering a profound look into the "attention recession" reshaping childhood in the digital age. Catherine J. Westbrook, drawing on both academic knowledge and lived experience, reveals how omnipresent screens are impacting developing brains, hijacking dopamine pathways, and eroding crucial skills like patience, creativity, and deep thought. This isn't just about screen time; it's about understanding how technology, intentionally designed to capture and hold attention, is rewiring our children's minds, affecting everything from sleep and emotional regulation to academic performance and social skills.

But there's good news: attention is not lost forever, and focus can be rebuilt. This book is not about rejecting technology, but about reclaiming control. Westbrook provides science-backed interventions, practical strategies, and timeless parenting wisdom adapted for the modern world.

Learn how to:

  • Navigate the "Dopamine Hijack" and its effects on your child's brain
  • Reintroduce the "Death of Boredom" as a powerful catalyst for imagination and resilience
  • Combat the "churn effect" of multitasking and cultivate deep thinking
  • Reclaim bedtime and restore the foundational power of sleep
  • Create a "focus-friendly home" and model presence for your children
  • Empower your child to become an "attention warrior" in a distracting world

Children of the Screen is a vital guide for any parent, teacher, or policymaker seeking to raise grounded, curious, and capable children who can thrive in the digital age—not just survive it. This is the fight for your child's mind, and it begins here.

©2025 Catherine J. Westbrook (P)2025 Catherine J. Westbrook
Child Psychology Developmental Psychology History & Culture Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships School-Age Children Technology & Society Inspiring Human Brain Technology
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Listener received this title free

This topic is incredibly important and this audiobook gets into why but also tangible, easy steps that anyone can take to change the trajectory of kids' brain function and future generational impact for the rest of their lives. There are opportunities to pivot and it doesn't have to be too complicated. Just little steps can make a big difference. Listen, re-listen, strengthen your truths about why it matters so that you can continue to take action with what you hear. Share this and spread the word. We're not aware of what's possible until we are. Thank you for sharing this for all of us and helping to make the world a better place!

everyone needs to listen - for the kids

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Listener received this title free

Children of the Screen opened my eyes. Catherine J. Westbrook delivers a powerful, well researched, and compassionate look at how screens are truly reshaping our children's brains, and their futures. As a parent, I saw my own child in many of the examples, from short attention spans to irritability without devices. What I appreciated most is that this isn't a fear based book. It’s full of hope, with practical solutions and empowering strategies to help families regain control. If you're concerned about your child's focus, behavior, or emotional regulation in today’s tech heavy world, this is the must listen guide you’ve been waiting for.

A Wake-Up Call Every Parent Needs

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