Digital Freedom by Maggie Dent

Australia’s favourite parenting author join s forces with a top online safety expert to give Australian parents the tools to understand and manage their kids’ and teens’ use of screens.

When it comes to children and screens, parents and educators face a genuine contradiction: so much of modern life happens online, yet it’s also one of the leading causes of harm and mental illness for kids and adolescents. How can we protect our young people while giving them the tools to succeed?

In this book, Maggie Dent, Australia’s queen of common-sense parenting, and Kirra Pendergast, an international authority on digital safety, present sensible, no-nonsense advice for parents looking to make informed decisions on issues such as:

– When and how to give your kids a smart phone?
– How do algorithms, digital footprints and AI really work?
– How can families use social media without sacrificing privacy and safety?
– How can you protect your kids and teens from the darker influences of the internet?
– What do you do if your son or daughter is being bullied or exploited online?

And most importantly: how can we help kids develop a healthy, responsible relationship with technology without becoming the enemy?

Digital Freedom cuts through the confusion and delivers practical tools and expert advice to help parents manage their children’s device use with confidence – and give kids back their childhoods.

About the Author: Commonly known as the ‘Queen of Common Sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia’s favourite parenting authors, educators and podcasters. Maggie is the author of eleven major books, including the bestselling Mothering Our Boys (2018), From Boys to Men (2020), Girlhood (2022) and Help Me Help My Teen (2024).

Kirra Pendergast is a globally recognised independent advisor, international expert speaker, and educator specialising in online safety, digital risk, and human behaviour in the digital age. With more than 30 years of experience she advises organisations internationally on online harms, AI, exploitation, and governance. Founder of Safe on Social and Ctrl+Shft, Kirra is known for translating complex technology into practical, human-centred guidance for schools, families, and leaders worldwide. Her first book co-authored with Maggie Dent is out August 2026.

18 Aug 2026
 

Digital Freedom: A guide to less screen time for safer, happier and healthier families by Maggie Dent ISBN 9781761902871