Growing Up in Public

Summary of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Devorah Heitner:

In Growing Up in Public, behavioral scientist Devorah Heitner offers a grounded, empathetic roadmap for parents guiding tweens and teens through life in an era of perpetual digital exposure. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with young people, educators, clinicians, and parents, she urges a shift from intrusive monitoring to collaborative mentorship—focusing on building trust, digital wisdom, and character instead of enforcing rules or surveillance. Rejecting a fear-led approach or outright bans, Heitner equips readers with strategies to support healthy identity development, thoughtful privacy management, and resilience amid the pressures of “sharenting,” online reputation, and peer scrutiny. The book blends research-backed insights, realistic case studies, and practical suggestions—making it a resourceful guide for nurturing confident, thoughtful digital citizens in a world where nearly every moment can be shared.