The advice in here is solid, practical, and easy to follow. I liked how it breaks down screen time into “digital nutrition” categories — it’s a simple framework that makes sense, especially for parents trying to help their kids (and themselves) survive life in a screen-first world.

It’s not the kind of read that kept me glued to the page, but I can see it being a really useful resource to have on hand. Definitely something I’d pass along to friends who are raising kids right now.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book really opened my eyes to how addicted I was to my phone and how much I rely on it. It allowed you to take an honest look at the impact of technology both good and bad. I while this book focuses on children and teens it has some really solid advice for everyone. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

As an influencer reading this book, I feel somewhat complicit in the attention economy that the author has clearly described as so harmful. While I strive to post about body positivity, disability inclusion, and gratitude, I am now more aware of how the algorithms I feed with my content are targeting people. I will be using the tools in this book to improve my relationship with social media and teach my son how to have a healthy relationship with online media as well.

I enjoyed this book. The tone was highly conversational; there was no getting bogged down in technical jargon. Dr. Regehr clearly discusses the benefits and pitfalls of the devices that are now part of our daily lives. She also discusses social media and its origins; this historical perspective helped frame the discussion. Although a lot of the content revolves around children, I feel that there are lessons here for everyone. This book was well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf Canada for the advance reader copy.

Smartphone Nation delivers on the promise in its subtitle ("Why We're All Addicted to Screens and What You Can Do About It"). While much of this book explores the impact of smartphone use on children, there are plenty of takeaways for adults as well.
Regehr's approach isn't anti-technology or anti-smartphone—it's pro-digital literacy. She offers a balanced and accessible overview of how social media platforms are intentionally designed to capture our attention and generate profit, often in the absence of meaningful regulation. Rather than sounding alarmist, she equips readers with tools to reflect on their own usage and leaves them with clear, actionable strategies to make meaningful change, both individually and collectively.
This was a thought-provoking and insightful read. It challenged my own habits (my phone is now temporarily on greyscale) and offered practical ways to foster healthier digital use. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in digital wellness or concerned about the ever-present influence of screens in modern life.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.