The Smartphone Solution

The Essential Self-Help Guide to Your Children Thriving in a Digital Age

‘The book us parents urgently need’ Dr Julie Smith

The smartphone dilemma: It’s on every parent’s mind. When should I let my child have a phone? What are the risks and how can I protect them? How can I encourage and nurture healthy digital habits for the future?

When faced with these questions, we often feel like the only options are to allow or ban phones. But in The Smartphone Solution, highly respected child and family psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado draws on the latest research in child development, brain science, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships, to offer another way. Introducing the Family Phone Pledge Plan, this book shows you how to cultivate a supportive environment and introduce phones when the time is right for your family.

In this practical and compassionate guide, you will discover how to:

• determine the right age to give your child a phone
• answer the questions they (or others) may have
• distinguish the real risks and benefits of smartphones from the misinformation
• turn smartphone conversations into moments that build connection and trust
• teach older siblings to model healthy phone habits
• encourage self-regulation around smartphones and screens to set the tone
• navigate crucial topics like online safety, digital footprints, consent, and family tech boundaries
• join the Family Phone Pledge and find a supportive community of like-minded parents!

Written with Dr Martha’s characteristic warmth and empathy, The Smartphone Solution will provide the information and tools you need to support your child and allow them to thrive in the modern digital world.