Logged On and Tuned Out (NF 2007) - Vicki Courtney

(Thanks to M. Prince for letting me know about this book!)

Logged On and Tuned Out: A Non-Techie's Guide to Parenting a Tech-Savvy Generation by Vicki Courtney is a short (197 pages including appendix and notes), easy-to-read introduction to the potentially widening gap that can exist between parents and their children as far as tech is concerned. As an introduction, the book is a good starting point, but concerned parents will want to know more.

Courtney, mother of three and founder of Virtuous Reality Ministries, relates in the book how little she knew about the tech world just a few short years ago. She's not alone. Many parents have absolutely no clue as to what's really happening on the Internet, the things you can do with cell phones, and the dangerous implications of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. If you're such a parent who's just coming to the cyber-table feeling just a little bit overwhelmed, this book is essential reading. Courtney will introduce readers not only to the fundamentals of Internet and cell phone technology, but more importantly how kids are using (and abusing) that technology.

In an informational book such as this, it's hard for writers not to tell us, "This is what I did to address this problem..." The problem is not only that Courtney's solutions may not work for you, but also that her relationship with her kids may not equal your relationship with your own kids.

And that's one of the biggest problems facing anyone reading the book, one that's not necessarily Courtney's (or the book's) fault: Before reading very far into Logged On and Tuned Out, you must examine the relationship you already have with your kids. This book isn't going to magically fix your child's cyber-problems if there are already underlying problems going on, mainly problems of communication and trust. Just read the book with that in mind. Remember, your success implementing the ideas in the book will depend largely on the relationships you already have with the members of your family.

I wished Courtney had discussed more of a progression of solutions. She doesn't say that Internet monitoring software is the only way to protect your children from the dangers of the Internet, but she sure gives it a lot of weight. I would have preferred more options, such as maybe placing the computer in central area such as the living room or kitchen where Internet activity can't be easily hidden.

Courtney does a pretty good job of describing some of the consequences of bad judgment via social networking pages, posting inappropriate photos and chatting online to strangers, but I fear some parents still may come away thinking, "Well, my child would never do such a thing!" Think again. I was hoping Courtney would give even more hard-hitting examples (especially in the area of cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking) than she did.

I do recommend Logged On and Tuned Out, but only as a starting point. Read it, then do some research yourself, spend some time Googling some of the topics you read in the book, talk with your youth ministry leaders and other parents. Reading just one book won't make you an expert in parenting a tech-savvy youth, but at least it's a step in the right direction.