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Why Your Parents Are Hung-Up on Your Phone and What To Do About It Paperback – 19 Sept. 2024

by Dean Burnett (Author)

35 ratings

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'Dean Burnett is the first old person who understands phones' Eleven-year-old Dermot, quoted in The Times

'A wonderfully useful book, told with Dean Burnett's trademark wit and wisdom' - Adam Kay on Why Your Parents Are Driving You up the Wall

“Can you get off your phone/ PS5/ Xbox!? NOW!” - Your parents (probably)

I bet that you and your parents argue about phones.

Maybe you want one, but your parents don’t agree? Or maybe you do have a phone, but your parents think you use it too much. Or even make you leave it downstairs at night when you want to scroll before sleep.

Either way, the result is: arguments. Between you and your parents. About phones.

Meet brain scientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett. He’ll show you why your parents are sometimes wrong about phones (and why, annoyingly, they can be a bit right), how you can both understand them a bit better and how you can stop arguing about them. You’ll learn about:

Why turning off TikTok can be so hard
How video games can change your brain for the better
How Snapchat can make us sad (and lots of other complicated feelings)

Because screens can be a good thing. And a bad thing. But they’re definitely not worth getting hung up about.

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Review

The perfect book to unpack the science and tell you what REALLY matters! ― Lancashire Post

An unexpectedly brilliant dive into many perspectives, facts and advice on the use of phones and devices ― LoveReading4Kids

Dean Burnett is the first old person who understands phones ― Eleven-year-old Dermot, quoted in The Times

I read Burnett’s book and immediately felt seen ― The Times

From the Back Cover

I'll bet you and your parents argue about phones.

They probably say things like:

'Can you just put that phone down for one minute?!'
'You'll get square eyes looking at that thing'
'I don't know who you're talking to all day!'
Maybe you want one, but your parents don't agree? Or maybe you do have a phone, but your parents think you use it too much?

Either way, the result is: arguments. Between you and your parents. About phones.

That's why brain scientist and bestselling author Dean Burnett has written this book. He'll show you why your parents are sometimes wrong about phones (and why, annoyingly, they can be a bit right), how you can both understand them a bit better and how you can stop arguing about them.

Because screens can be a good thing. And a bad thing. But they're definitely not worth getting hung up about...

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin
Publication date ‏ : ‎ 19 Sept. 2024
Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0241679591
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241679593
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 317 g
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 14 years, from customers
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.07 x 3.18 x 19.05 cm
Best Sellers Rank: 269,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 74 in Children's Books on Safety
- 111 in Children's Books on Parents
- 1,459 in Children's Books on Computers & Technology
Customer reviews:
35 ratings

About the author

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Dean Burnett

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Dr Dean Burnett is a PhD Neuroscientists, experienced tutor and lecturer, regular blogger/contributor for the Guardian and other mainstream publications, and now international bestselling author following his debut book The Idiot Brain ('Idiot Brain' in the US).

The genesis of Idiot Brain is unusual in that Dean Burnett hadn't actually planned to write a book but was offered the opportunity following his highly-popular blogging efforts. When he expressed reluctance at writing a book about the brain because "all brain books treat it with such reverence, but I think it's a bit rubbish", his publishers suggested he write a book about why he thought that, and that were Idiot Brain first began.

Expecting it to be a flash in the pan that people would just nod at before getting on with their lives, Dean had no plans or expectations regarding the writing of a second book, but Idiot Brain's success meant one was soon expected. In a panic, Dean asked all his colleagues/friends/fellow writers/passing strangers what they thought would be a good subject for a second book. Everyone provided different ideas, but one common refrain was 'You just need to write about whatever makes you happy". Being an intensely literal sort, he decided he would indeed write about the neurobiological mechanisms that make us happy.

And that's how Happy Brain was created.

Dean Burnett has appeared on NPR's Fresh Air, CBC's The Current, Ireland's NewsTalk and countless platforms and publications in the UK. The TV rights for Idiot Brain were purchased by Whoopi Goldberg's 'One Ho' productions.

He is currently a Research Associate (Honorary) at Cardiff University Psychology School, and lives in Cardiff with his wife, two children, and alarmingly psychopathic kitten Pickle.

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Julia Billington
Everyone should read this!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is packed full of evidence-based info about the real impact of smartphones on the lives of kids and young people. Don't believe the hysteria. Read this book and pass it onto your friends.
It's refreshing to have the facts and nuanced rationale amidst all the imagined grievances we're bombarded with. Really accessible and full of useful facts.

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Fraser
Interesting subject with good humour & some nice illustrations.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2024
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
I have daughters aged 11 & 12, so this was handed to eldest first who’s been slowly working her way through it over the past couple of weeks (she’s more of an artist than a reader).

Coming in at just over 450 pages it’s quite a read, however there’s a decent mixture of illustrations throughout, and I found each page to be quite different from the last.

There’s also a good selection of fonts used that grab your eye and make digesting points considered important really quick and easy.

The author goes into quite a bit of detail on all aspects of ‘modern technology’ and not just the mobile phone and there’s a good balance of humour that wasn’t missed on my daughter (and me).

Not being a ‘reader’, she did comment on the length of the chapters. I think she would’ve preferred to have stopped reading at the end of one, rather than in the middle of one and sometimes she found herself clock watching before lights out and maybe trying to speed read?

She did like the tiny little numbers that are scattered throughout the paragraphs that refer to a small table below providing additional information that clears up any confusion.

While most adults would know the author isn’t 100% accurate in every statement he makes (it’s really not that type of book), the younger reader may not be so well educated so it’s always made clear where there may be exceptions to what’s being stated.

It’s an interesting subject, but as a family we’ve had measures in place from a very young age regarding all forms of ‘screen time’.

Mum and I are also pretty ‘techy’ parents so we understand the pros and cons of new technology and how it can be a benefit as well as a curse.

As a result, I would never feel the urge to buy this book for my kids or encourage them to read it as the reality is we’re really not that hung up on their mobile phones.

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Fraser

Interesting subject with good humour & some nice illustrations.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2024
I have daughters aged 11 & 12, so this was handed to eldest first who’s been slowly working her way through it over the past couple of weeks (she’s more of an artist than a reader).

Coming in at just over 450 pages it’s quite a read, however there’s a decent mixture of illustrations throughout, and I found each page to be quite different from the last.

There’s also a good selection of fonts used that grab your eye and make digesting points considered important really quick and easy.

The author goes into quite a bit of detail on all aspects of ‘modern technology’ and not just the mobile phone and there’s a good balance of humour that wasn’t missed on my daughter (and me).

Not being a ‘reader’, she did comment on the length of the chapters. I think she would’ve preferred to have stopped reading at the end of one, rather than in the middle of one and sometimes she found herself clock watching before lights out and maybe trying to speed read?

She did like the tiny little numbers that are scattered throughout the paragraphs that refer to a small table below providing additional information that clears up any confusion.

While most adults would know the author isn’t 100% accurate in every statement he makes (it’s really not that type of book), the younger reader may not be so well educated so it’s always made clear where there may be exceptions to what’s being stated.

It’s an interesting subject, but as a family we’ve had measures in place from a very young age regarding all forms of ‘screen time’.

Mum and I are also pretty ‘techy’ parents so we understand the pros and cons of new technology and how it can be a benefit as well as a curse.

As a result, I would never feel the urge to buy this book for my kids or encourage them to read it as the reality is we’re really not that hung up on their mobile phones.

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Amazon Customer
Great for parents to read first!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Just what I was looking for.... I needed to read it first, as parents & kids are both navigating this topic with very different starting points of view. Really helpful 👍🏻

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A. T.
Pretty interesting even for adults
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2024
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
This book is for (younger) teenagers, and overall does a good job of discussing the usual arguments put forward when it comes to smartphones, their use, the impact this use has on someone, and so on, in a way that is easy to understand and also addresses the typical conundrums, such as "why am I not allowed to use it when watching TV, but my parents are?" (It is, after all, a valid question from a child/teenager, and even from someone older -- no one really likes double standards when they're on the wrong end of it, do they?)

The information provided in the book might be a little too 'basic' for someone who already has had this kind of discussion with their parents, or has read other material about it, but as a first foray into this area, I think the book does the job. I'm not sure the attempts at humour will necessarily fly well, but then it never really does when it comes from an adult--I thought the same when I was a teenager myself--so perhaps those parts would've been better left out? I don't now, honestly it's difficult to please everyone anyway. That said, the author also doesn't try too hard to 'play it cool' so that's a good thing. It keeps things simple and to the point.

All in all, a good introduction to the topic.

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Scriptwriter
Daughter loves to read but didn't engage with this at all
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2025
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
My daughter is a voracious reader. She loves to read a wide range of books, from the usual child-friendly fantasy books of Harry Potter and Keepers of the Lost Cities, through to fun self-help books.

However, she found this book dull and completely failed to engage with it. Author Dr Dean Burnett is a PhD Neuroscientist, so he knows his stuff and the testimonials on this book mention that it is witty but for my daughter at least, this book fell flat.

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The Rook
Good read for young people
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 April 2025
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
This book offers insightful advice for young people navigating the challenges of dealing with phone addiction and parental concerns. It provides practical strategies for setting boundaries and communicating effectively with parents about phone usage. A must-read for anyone trying to find a balance between the digital world and family relationships. The content is relatable and well-written, offering both advice and reassurance. Highly recommended.

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IBUK
Some good psychology contained within
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2024
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
I ordered this with my teenage son and his younger preteen brother in mind. Wanting to educate them to self-limit use of technology this seemed ideal for the purpose.

This is quite a substantial book though at 450 pages - and I worry it will actually put younger children off with the size. The content itself is written in an interesting way that is both knowledgeable but contains humour and a sense of realism of the society we live in.

There is plenty of information and for some it will be a real eye-opener so in that sense it fulfils its purpose.

I'm not sure who the intended audience is though, the artwork would suggest early teens but the content adult and I don't think it hits either audience very well all in all. For teens a shorter more abridged version that didn't come across as being lectured might encourage more take up.

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2 people found this helpful

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R2D2
ON THE FENCE🤔
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 October 2024
Format: PaperbackAmazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
Not too sure about this book. It's target audience is 11-16 years old. I can't help but think that, while the title might spark some interest, the huge amount of pages might be a turn off at some point along the way, if not at first. Got some interesting stuff for parents but I can't help thinking that a lot of it is a bit, even very, dated. I'm 70 and my overall description, and probably that of my grandchildren, might just be.....Meh !!!!! 😁

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Interesting subject with good humour & some nice illustrations.

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