Most of the following books and resources are written for the adults–youth workers, parents, mentors–who care about how teens and young adults are using technology–safely and in balance.
As a teen or young adult, you still might like to read them. If you have or if you do, I’d love to hear what your thoughts on the perspectives of the topic.
Eyes Online, Eyes On Life is targeted primarily for the teen or young adult, but it can also be used by the youth worker, parent, or mentor to understand and come alongside someone who is drawn to or trapped in an obsession or addiction to the Internet.
BOOKS
General Market:
Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens–Helping Young People Learn To Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly
by Nancy Willard
Online Teen Dangers–The Five Greatest Internet Dangers Teenagers Face and What You Can Do to Protect Them
by David Kent Jones
With a Christian faith slant:
Eyes Online, Eyes On Life–A Journey Out of Online Addictions
by Jan Kern
Do Fish Know They’re Wet?–Living in Your World Without Getting Hooked
by Tom Neven
Eyes Wide Open–Avoiding the Heartbreak of Emotional Promiscuity
by Brienne Murk
MySpace for Moms and Dads–A Guide to Understanding the Risks and the Rewards
by Connie Neal
Re-Create–Building a Culture in Your Home Stronger than the Culture Deceiving Your Kids
by Ron Luce
Restoring the Teenage Soul–Nurturing Sound Hearts and Minds in a Confused Culture
by Dr. Meg Meeker
LINKS
Jan’s Blog- Discussions about the topics and issues around Internet addiction, resources and ideas
Center for Internet Addiction Recovery - Dr. Young’s site with information, resources, and help for those who are addicted or who know someone who is
Help Your Teen- addressing teen Internet addiction, offers links to further resources and articles
Net Family News- “Kid-tech news for parents” offers a blog and a forum for parents
Web Aware- Information for parents and becoming “web aware”; safety tips by age; signs to watch for, etc. (great info for youth workers too!)
ARTICLES
Sexting: More Common Among Teens Than Many Think – Common, so not a big deal? That’s what some teens are saying.
Parent Alert–Teens and Porn - A May 2009 Reader’s Digest article: Porn has gone interactive–and your kids are at risk. From ’sexting’ to video chats, how to fight back.
Internet Computer Addiction Among Teens – the trends
Dr. Phil’s show on Virtual Chaos - including links to other shows on related topics
Gaming Addictive Behavior Audit - Dr. Phil’s list to help determine if someone you know, you, or your child is at risk
Types of Computer Addiction – most addictive and computer-related activities
Teens Tune Out TV, Log On Instead - A July, 2008 MSNBC article explaining the trends with teens
EYES ONLINE, EYES ON LIFE—A Journey Out of Internet Addictions
Standard Publishing—Fall, 2008
This book tells Colin’s story and also includes the true stories of others–both girls and guys.
Available to order through your local bookstores or through Amazon
Jan Kern writes with insight, passion, and wisdom as she chronicles the struggles of young people who have become caught in compulsive Internet use. Her counsel to teens—or anyone else dealing with online obsessive behavior—is grounded in sound Christian principles and benefits from the insights of leading experts in the emerging field of Internet addiction. Teens, parents, and youth pastors everywhere should read this book.
—Andrew Careaga, author, Hooked on the Net and eMinistry: Connecting with the Net Generation
Chatting, blogging, e-mailing, surfing . . . It didn’t end there for Colin. His loneliness fed an obsession with the Internet that led to online addictions to pornography, gaming, and endless surfing. In this third book in the Live Free series, Eyes Online, Eyes On Life, you’ll read about:
-Colin’s growing connection to God that helped him face and overcome his isolation and obsessions
-others—both guys and girls—who have struggled and then discovered how to balance their real and virtual lives
-ideas for managing online and offline activities to strengthen identity and relationships
-warning signs of Internet addiction and how to help
There is a way out of the loneliness and depression of Internet isolation and a way in to the freedom of real-world relationships—with people and with God—and the identity and purpose found there.
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