Kids Are Smart: A Conversation with Catherine Price on Raising the Amazing Generation

We recently sat down with Catherine Price, author of "How to Break Up with Your Phone" and co-author (with Jonathan Haidt) of the upcoming book "The Amazing Generation."

The conversation challenged a lot of assumptions — and left me genuinely optimistic about the future.

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A Different Take on Kids and Technology

Most conversations about kids and screens are doom-and-gloom. Addiction. Anxiety. Shortened attention spans. And yes, those concerns are real.

But Catherine's message is different: Kids are smart. Give them the right education, clear boundaries when needed, and the right tools, and they will thrive.

Not despite technology. With technology.

That distinction matters.

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The Amazing Generation

The title of Catherine and Jonathan's new book isn't ironic. They genuinely believe this generation of young people has the potential to be amazing — if we set them up for success.

Here's the thing: we don't help kids by pretending technology doesn't exist or by making them feel guilty for using it. We help them by teaching them how to use it intentionally.

That means:

• Education over restriction. Kids need to understand why certain apps are designed the way they are, not just be told to put their phones down.
• Clear boundaries when needed. There's a time and place for limits — especially for developing brains. But blanket bans often backfire.
• The right tools. Just like we give kids training wheels before a bike, we can give them tools to develop healthy digital habits.

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The Alcohol Analogy (And Why It's Incomplete)

One pushback I often hear goes something like this: "We don't let kids drink until they're 21. We don't let them drive until they're 16. Why should phones be any different?"

It's a fair point. And there's truth to it — developing brains need protection.

But here's where the analogy breaks down: alcohol isn't woven into every aspect of modern life. Technology is.

Kids use phones for school, for connecting with friends, for learning, for creating. The answer isn't to eliminate access entirely. It's to teach them how to navigate it wisely.

That's a harder problem to solve. But it's the right one.

What This Means for Parents

If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed by the screen time conversation, here's what I took away from our discussion with Catherine:

1. You're not failing. This is genuinely hard, and the technology is designed to be compelling. Give yourself grace.
2. Model the behavior you want to see. Kids notice when you're present — and when you're not.
3. Have real conversations. Ask your kids how their apps make them feel. You might be surprised by their self-awareness.
4. Focus on building good habits, not eliminating bad ones. What do you want them to do instead of scrolling? Make that the focus.

A Manual for Thriving

Catherine describes "The Amazing Generation" as "a fun, delightful manual for growing up with technology and learning how to thrive with it."

I love that framing. This isn't about fear. It's about possibility.

Our kids have access to more information, more tools, and more ways to connect than any generation in history. The question isn't whether that's good or bad. It's whether we'll teach them to use it well.

I'm betting on the kids.

Listen to the full conversation with Catherine Price on our podcast, available on Spotify.

Want to help your family build healthier screen habits? Download Opal and explore our parental control features.