The Amazing Generation: Rebels with a Cause
- hellobravelion
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
The coolest thing happened this week.
My husband told me one of his fifth grade students was captivated by a book....so much so that he almost missed the bus.
Sure, the fact that a kid was captivated by a book is a win, but it wasn't just any book, it was The Amazing Generation; Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-filled World co-authored by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price (illustrated by Cynthia Yuan Cheng)!
And I get why this kid couldn't put the book down, I just finished reading it myself.As you may know, Amazing Generation is the follow-up to Haidt's Anxious Generation, but an empowering version written for tweens! What they have done here is brilliant.
Before I share more about the book, I want to tell you the coolest part. My husband's student is reading the book with his mom and brother (someone give this mom a high-five and an ice cream cone!).
A collective family read is a powerful model. The Amazing Generation skillfully brings the reader through some age-appropriate yet complex topics, so having a grownup to discuss them is really valuable.
But more-so, us grownups need to hear this message (and practice it) too.Essentially, Amazing Generation simultaneously educates and empowers the tween reader about;
The motives and actions of big tech companies ("Tech Wizards")
The dangerous effects of premature smart phone, social media and gaming use
How to be a "Rebel" by choosing to use tech as a tool and to fill your life with real friendship, freedom and fun
When asked the most surprising thing he's learned so far, the 5th grader quickly shared stats of what daily screen-time use equates to in days/months/years. It really blew him away (me too). He said that he much rather be sledding or building an ice castle than spend all that time on screens .
Many teenagers are spending five hours on social media every day, which adds up to seventy-five full days a year. That means that if you and your friends decided NOT to be on these apps, you'll have an extra two and a half months every year - that's an entire summer break!
So why does a Brave Lion care about all this? Because the quality of your presence is the greatest gift you can give yourself and the world.
Our ability to be present, to have meaningful relationships and nurture a sense of self and worth happens in real life. Not on screen.
Taming our relationship to tech is a huge key to living mindfully, and finding peace in our heart and home.
Brave Lion is kicking off 2026 with Mindfully Taming Tech (for the family). Are you in? Drop us an email to be the first to know about upcoming programming!
Be well, Leah ✌️
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