Thrive List™ · Downloadable PDF guide

Screens & the Digital World

Screen-time books, filtering tools, gaming guides and safety organisations — filtered for families who want a plan rather than a panic.

34 recommendations8 categoriesPrint-ready A4Updated 30 July 2026

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Thrive Parenting Company

Therapist-curated resource guide

Screens & the Digital World

A Thrive List™ for the Screens & the Digital World pathway

Best Parent Books9

Best Children's Books5

Best Teen Books4

Best Podcasts3

Best Apps4

Best Websites3

Best YouTube Channels3

Helpful Organisations3

Last updated 30 July 2026

From the therapist

The goal is not less screen time; it is a family that can talk about screens without the conversation ending badly. This guide is ordered from understanding, to agreements, to tools, to help if something has gone wrong.

If you're overwhelmed, start here

01
The Anxious Generation(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Jonathan Haidt
02
Screenwise(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Devorah Heitner
03
Growing Up in Public(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Devorah Heitner

If today is not the day for a reading list: take the three Start Here picks, ignore everything else, and come back in a month.

What's inside

Preview · first three of each category

Book titles link to our Amazon shop. As an Amazon Associate we may earn a small commission — it never changes what we recommend, or what you pay.

Best Parent Books

9 recommendations

01
Top pick
The Anxious Generation(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Jonathan Haidt
02
Top pick
Screenwise(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Devorah Heitner
03
Top pick
Growing Up in Public(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Devorah Heitner

6 more in the PDF

Best Children's Books

5 recommendations

01
But It's Just a Game(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Julia Cook
02
Once Upon a Time... Online(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Roald Dahl Story Company
03
Top pick
Chicken Clicking(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Jeanne Willis

2 more in the PDF

Best Teen Books

4 recommendations

01
Top pick
Digital Minimalism(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Cal Newport
02
Top pick
How to Break Up with Your Phone(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Catherine Price
03
Stolen Focus(find this book on Amazon, opens in a new tab)
Johann Hari

1 more in the PDF

Best Podcasts

3 recommendations

01
Top pick
Screenagers Podcast(opens in a new tab)
Delaney Ruston
02
Top pick
Your Undivided Attention(opens in a new tab)
Center for Humane Technology
03
Top pick
Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting(opens in a new tab)
Lisa Damour

Best Apps

4 recommendations

01
Top pick
Apple Screen Time / Google Family Link(opens in a new tab)
Apple / Google
02
Top pick
Bark(opens in a new tab)
Bark
03
Opal(opens in a new tab)
Opal

1 more in the PDF

Best Websites

3 recommendations

01
Top pick
Common Sense Media(opens in a new tab)
Common Sense Media
02
Top pick
Internet Matters(opens in a new tab)
Internet Matters
03
Top pick
Net Aware (NSPCC)(opens in a new tab)
NSPCC & O2

Best YouTube Channels

3 recommendations

01
Top pick
Screenagers — Official Trailer & Clips(opens in a new tab)
Delaney Ruston
02
How Social Media Hijacks Your Mind(opens in a new tab)
Center for Humane Technology
03
Top pick
Common Sense Media Reviews(opens in a new tab)
Common Sense Media

Helpful Organisations

3 recommendations

01
Top pick
CEOP Safety Centre(opens in a new tab)
National Crime Agency
02
Top pick
Childline(opens in a new tab)
NSPCC
03
UK Safer Internet Centre(opens in a new tab)
Safer Internet Centre

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