Parenting for the Digital Age

Parenting for the Digital Age offers a thoughtful, experience-based look at how media shapes children’s behavior, relationships, and development—and how families can respond with intention rather than fear.

Drawing on insights from media culture and real-life parenting, Bill Ratner explores questions that are still at the center of today’s conversation: How does digital exposure influence attention, empathy, and identity? Where is the line between healthy engagement and overuse? And how can parents set meaningful boundaries in a constantly connected world?

From how to deal with cyberbullying to the strange, true stories behind Barbie and G.I. Joe, media insider Ratner takes an inside look at our wired-up world in a fascinating book—part memoir, part parenting guide—for the digital age. 

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all rules, the book emphasizes practical, balanced strategies. From managing screen time and understanding media messaging to fostering critical thinking and stronger offline connections, Ratner provides tools to help parents make informed decisions that reflect their family’s values.

Accessible and engaging, Parenting for the Digital Age remains a useful perspective on raising children in a media-saturated environment—encouraging parents to stay involved, stay curious, and stay connected to what matters most: their relationship with their child.