Share Better and Stress Less: A Few Timely Words for Educators, Families, and Learners

“Share Better and Stress Less” by Whitney Phillips and Ryan Milner addresses the pressing challenges we all face in this digital age of sharing and social stresses. With a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of online communication and its impact on individuals, this quick read provides practical frameworks and strategies to help navigate the complexities of digital sharing while fostering a healthier and more inclusive online environment.

Huge shoutout to MIT Teen Press for this one. While I am new to knowing the amazingly curated list of books they have for kids and teens, it is worth following along.

Okay, so the authors obviously understand the power of online platforms and the necessity of equipping our learners with the tools and knowledge to navigate this “share often — digital world” more effectively. Throughout the book, the authors continually position the multifaceted nature of digital communication as one that we need to think about, learn strategies for, and continuously manage the impact of. From tackling issues such as misinformation, online harassment, and the emotional toll of constant connectivity, the authors provide great examples that highlight the challenges students face and provide practical ideas and examples to address them proactively.

First and foremost, I appreciated the continuous push for taking charge and controlling the information pollution we individually experience daily.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to contextualize digital sharing within our world, calling attention to creating opportunities for mutual flourishing (a term I will undoubtedly use again and again).

Like others, the authors promote the idea that we must cultivate a healthy relationship with digital platforms, emphasizing self-care and setting boundaries to prevent burnout, stress, and belief systems that give weight to negative or inaccurate information.

I appreciated the idea of “stress code words,” and that is one part of this book that I know I will share with friends, coworkers, and even my own children.

The book calls on all of us to create safe and inclusive online spaces to address cyberbullying…