Social Media Wellness

Social Media Wellness

book

2017

WISE
82%

WISE Score

A practical guide to helping your kid find the 'off' switch without a total meltdown, even if the app names have changed.

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Social Media Wellness is the rare tech-parenting book that hasn't completely curdled with age. While the specific mentions of apps like YikYak or early Snapchat are a trip down memory lane, the underlying psychology—how social media affects a kid's focus and self-worth—is more relevant in 2026 than it was when it was written.

If you can look past the outdated screenshots, you'll find a solid blueprint for building a 'self-regulating' kid. Homayoun's background in academic coaching shines through here; she's less interested in being a 'screen-time cop' and more interested in helping kids organize their lives so that the phone doesn't become the center of their universe.

Age Fit

This is a book for parents and educators of middle and high schoolers. While a very motivated teen could read it, the tone and structure are aimed at the adults in the room.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92

The book avoids alarmism and focuses on emotional health, empathy, and building a balanced life rather than just 'banning' everything.

Imaginative
55

It's a non-fiction parenting manual. While it offers creative frameworks for organization, it's not designed to spark creative play or world-building.

Safe
98

It is a book written for adults and educators; there is no inappropriate content, and it proactively teaches safety and privacy.

Enriching
88

High marks for teaching executive functioning and self-regulation, though the platform-specific advice shows its age.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Focuses on executive functioning, helping kids manage their time and attention rather than just following rules.
  • Moves away from fear-mongering and toward 'digital citizenship' and intentionality.
  • Written by Ana Homayoun, an expert who actually understands how the teenage brain works (and why it's so easily distracted).
  • Offers tactical templates and strategies for kids to self-regulate their own social media use.

What to Watch For

  • The platform specifics are very 2017. You'll see a lot about Snapchat and early Instagram, but nothing about the TikTok/Reels short-form video era or generative AI.
  • Some of the 'wellness' advice might feel basic if you've already been deep in the digital parenting trenches for years.

Conversation Starters

  • "Which apps make you feel genuinely energized and which ones just leave you feeling drained?"
  • "If we turned off all notifications for a day, what's the one thing you'd actually miss vs. what's just noise?"
  • "Do you ever feel like you're performing for your friends online rather than just hanging out with them?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic