Screen Smart Children : A Guide to Helping Kids Thrive in a World That Never Switches Off

Whether you’re a parent or teacher, this is your guide to raising capable, compassionate and tech-wise kids in a hyperconnected age.

In a world where screens dominate childhood in both classrooms and bedrooms, many parents feel overwhelmed. Are devices stealing attention, empathy and imagination from our children? Or can they be part of a healthy, balanced life?

Internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams and award-winning educator Gavin McCormack team up for this book. They draw on decades of cutting-edge brain research and real-world classroom experience to reveal how screen exposure is rewiring young minds.

Packed with relatable stories, practical tools and science-backed strategies, this book offers a roadmap for guiding children toward healthy tech habits, deeper focus and genuine human connection, without banning screens or battling over devices. In it you will:

•  Understand the impact of technology and screens on children’s development.
•  Learn how to reduce the risks of overexposure to screens.
• Gain tools to support mental health and wellbeing across the whole family.

Dr Mark A Williams is an internationally recognised professor of cognitive neuroscience, with more than 25 years’ experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on our social skills. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as publishing more than 70 scientific articles. Mark has been awarded numerous high-profile fellowships and grants and worked both at MIT in the USA and at universities in Australia. Dr Mark A Williams is an international expert on the neuroscience of screen time, whose research has informed school policies and sparked global conversations about banning digital devices in classrooms.

Gavin McCormack is the co-founder of Upschool.co, a platform that inspires children to develop real-world skills and take action that creates genuine impact. With more than 25 years of experience in education – including a decade as a trained Montessori teacher – Gavin has taught in classrooms across the globe and championed innovative, purposeful learning. He is the Montessori Australia Ambassador, a TEDx speaker, and the author of numerous children’s books, including a biography of legendary Liverpool manager Sir Kenny Dalglish. Gavin has built schools, libraries, and teacher training centres in Nepal and was recently awarded the 2024 Outstanding Global Contribution to Education Award at the GESS Awards in Dubai. For the past five consecutive years, he has been recognised by The Educator magazine as one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators.