Attention Hijacked: Using Mindfulness to Reclaim Your Brain from Tech

Erica Marcus tackles the ubiquity of the tech world in all of its various forms and how it affects us. She does so in a nonjudgmental manner, presenting both the good and bad uses of technology. Marcus breaks down how platforms work and describes their effects on our brains in the first half of the book. Myths about technology use and how it affects teens in particular are researched and either confirmed or debunked. The choice to use a particular form of technology, as well as discussing the multitude of options available, is relayed in a manner that most teens can relate to. The second part of the book segues into using mindfulness as a healthier alter­native to technology, while still acknowledging that we may use technology to access some mindfulness techniques. The book itself is illustrated throughout with simple graphics. Journal prompts and QR codes that link directly to mindfulness resources are also found throughout the book. Grey text boxes highlight interesting facts, tips, or research. The language used is easy to follow and the examples given are ones that most teens will identify with. A detailed list of source notes and resources in addition to the ones found throughout the book is included in the end pages. Most of the suggestions are feasible for most people and I think teens will appreciate that the author is not suggesting they turn into Luddites, but rather become masters of both their devices and their time.

[Editor's Note: For additional resources related to this title, including an interview with author Erica B. Marcus, be sure to check out our Attention Hijacked Educator Guide]