The Technology Tail – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Technology Tail

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

86%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A clever picture book that turns the abstract 'digital footprint' into a physical tail kids can actually visualize.

The Technology Tail

book

2019

86%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A clever picture book that turns the abstract 'digital footprint' into a physical tail kids can actually visualize.

4.6

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Amazon

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

The Technology Tail is the 'brush your teeth' of digital citizenship. It’s not a gripping page-turner that they’ll beg to read every night, but it’s a foundational tool for any parent handing over a screen for the first time.

By turning the 'digital footprint'—a concept even adults struggle to grasp—into a physical tail that gets bruised or sparkly based on behavior, it gives kids a concrete way to think about their online reputation. It’s a low-stress, high-impact way to start the conversation about being a decent human in a digital space.

Age Fit

Ideal for ages 5 to 9. It’s perfect for the moment a kid starts using a school iPad or a family tablet, but it’ll feel too 'babyish' for middle schoolers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s a textbook example of prosocial media. The core message is about kindness, accountability, and the weight of our words, delivered through a relatable metaphor.

Imaginative

Turning a digital footprint into a physical, growing tail that changes based on your behavior is a clever way to make a very abstract concept concrete for a 7-year-old.

Safe

100

It’s a picture book designed for classrooms and living rooms. Zero risk of inappropriate content; its entire purpose is to prevent it.

Enriching

High marks for building digital literacy and empathy. It gives parents a shared vocabulary to talk about 'permanent' mistakes before they actually happen.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visualizes the invisible by turning online posts into a 'tail' that follows the character everywhere.
Focuses on empathy, showing how 'stinging' comments hurt the sender's reputation as much as the receiver.
Perfect for the 'first device' milestone, providing a non-preachy way to set expectations before the first text is sent.
Julia Cook’s track record for social-emotional learning means the pacing and tone are tuned exactly for the K-3 crowd.

⚠

What to Watch For

The illustrations of tablets and phones from 2019 might look a little 'vintage' to a kid in 2026, but the logic still tracks.
It is a message-first book. If your kid only likes high-adventure stories, they’ll see the 'lesson' coming from a mile away.

Conversation Starters

"If your 'digital tail' was visible right now, what color would it be?"
"Why do you think it's harder to be kind behind a screen than it is in person?"
"What are some things we can do to 'clean' a tail that has some scratches on it?"
"If you see someone else with a 'stinging' tail, how can you help them without getting stung yourself?"

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