The Kids Are Online

"While conversations about young people and technology are drawn into unhelpful binaries and polarizations, Ysabel Gerrard listens carefully to young people's voices and experiences, drawing our attention to intriguing puzzles and paradoxes. A must-read for scholars, policymakers, parents, educators, and anyone with an interest in technology and society."—Ranjana Das, author of Parents Talking Algorithms: Navigating Datafication and Family Life in Digital Societies

"In this adept and delightful book, Gerrard escapes simplistic binaries to explore young people's experiences of social media as a central but messily complex part of their lives. While children's rights and mental health are endlessly debated by adults, The Kids Are Online amplifies young voices and reveals their platformed lives."—Tama Leaver, Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University

"With great integrity and compassion, Gerrard navigates a minefield of concerns to show how the benefits and threats of young people's social media use entwine. Everyone in a position to give advice or make rules would benefit from reading this book."—Katrin Tiidenberg, author of Selfies: Why We Love (and Hate) Them

"Gerrard offers a fresh approach to help us navigate complex discussions about youth and social media. With care and clarity, The Kids Are Online shows that we can—and indeed must—embrace the nuance of social media."—Brooke Erin Duffy, author of (Not) Getting Paid To Do What You Love: Gender and Aspirational Labor in the Social Media Economy

"Transcending binaries of value or blame, this compelling book invites us to embrace the paradox of young people's commitment to the very platforms that may hurt them as we imagine a better digital future."—Sonia Livingstone, Director, Digital Futures for Children research center, London School of Economics