Calm, Cool and Connected is a short book that aims to encourage readers to rethink and reform their social media habits so that we’re not distracted by technology to the point we’re living only half a life.
The book is structured around five habits:
- H = Hold down the off button
- A = Always put people first
- B = Brush daily (i.e. post no evil about yourself or others)
- I = I will go online with purpose (no more disappearing down internet rabbit holes for hours on end)
- T = Take a hike (don’t spend your entire live online—get some exercise)
Overall, the book encourages us to develop good technology habits.
It’s not saying we have to go cold turkey, but encouraging us to be more intentional with the way we use technology, to use it as a tool, to put in-person connections first.
While the tips are specifically around controlling the way we use technology (rather than letting technology control us), many of the principles hold true for any kind of habit:
Try not to focus on the negative habit you’re trying to shake. Instead focus on the positive habit you’re trying to embrace.
She also doesn’t recommend overreacting and going cold turkey in trying to rein in our social media use. Apparently, that’s not a good idea. Experts instead suggest:
Developing skills to manage social media and screen time as part of your everyday life.
That might sound hard, but this book is full of tips that will help you develop more healthy technology habits. The book could also be used as a small group study, as there are plenty of questions and other discussion points.
Recommended for anyone concerned about their digital use or who wants to develop better internet and social media habits.
It would also make a good gift for social media-addicted family members … if you could get them off their devices long enough to read it. Perhaps the publisher should consider a Minecraft or Fortnite edition.
Thanks to Moody Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
It sounds like a very wise book. I might try to get hold of it.
And it came out before Apple added Screen Time to the iPhone – now, that’s convicting!