At first glance you may be thinking that this is not a subject that needs a whole book devoted to it, but author and speaker Jonathan McKee will prove you wrong. Yes, most of the material in the book is somewhat common sense, but I would argue that we, as parents, should take the time to analyze the priorities in the lives of our children and of ourselves. Tech usage among teenagers is increasing at an alarming rate. We've all seen it, kids glued to their tablet or smartphone and totally unplugged from society. According to a Common Sense Media study in 2015, today's thirteen- to eighteen-year-olds spend about nine hours a day on entertainment media, excluding time spent at school or doing homework.

This book promotes the idea of getting kids involved and engaged in activities that get them away from their devices - outdoor activities, missions opportunities, family bonding activities, etc. Each chapter presents a scenario and then provides strategies to implement solutions. The author given examples of pertinent questions to ask your child and the right way to phrase the questions so as not to make your child defensive or withdrawn. The end of each chapter includes questions to ponder that help you reflect on your own situation.

At the end of the book there is a section titled "52 Reviews and Qs" that provides a summary of each chapter with key takeaways and a few questions to help engage your kids in meaningful conversation. It may be beneficial to browse the summary first if you have a specific need or question, or to get a feel for the content of the book. However, the author references different sections of the book within each chapter to tie it all together, so I found it more beneficial to just read it straight through.

The takeaway is this: the habitual usage of smartphones and social media in teenagers is a growing concern. The solution to the problem begins at home. Parents must learn to not be tethered to their devices in order to provide an example to our children. Rules and boundaries must be set and remain firm. A good friend of mine named Logan Merrick wrote a great book several years ago about idolatry. What we are seeing today is the smartphone becoming an idol in everyday society, particularly among teenagers. I recommend this book to all parents who are concerned about this alarming trend. I received this as a free ARC from Barbour Publishing, Inc., Shiloh Run Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jonathan McKee's, “52 Ways to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid” is a wonderful, timely, and relationally-saturated resource for parents who need down-to-earth, yet heavenly practical advice on connecting with tech-addicted kids. McKee offers a wide-array of practical advice with a dash of humor and real life examples to keep parents busy experimenting for a lifetime. If you’re a parent who is distressed over the disconnection you feel with your kids,
or an educator looking practical tips you can share with parents you work with, this book will not disappoint. I highly recommend it!

52 Ways To Connect With Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid provides a very easy to read and friendly way to learn to communicate with your children. A blend of helpful practices, routine changes, and things best to avoid all provide a comprehensive guide for better child rearing.