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by Amit Khaira (Author)
When Screens Go Quiet is a timely and reflective response to one of the most significant cultural shifts in recent Australian history: the introduction of the under-16 social media ban. While public debate has focused on policy and protection, this book turns its attention to what happens inside homes when the noise of constant digital engagement begins to fade.
Drawing on neuroscience, youth mental health research and lived experience, Amit explores the emotional and relational ripple effects that surface when screens are reduced. Many families report heightened emotions, withdrawal, resistance and confusion. Rather than framing these reactions as defiance or dysfunction, When Screens Go Quiet reframes them as signs of nervous systems recalibrating and identities renegotiating.
The book unfolds across three central movements. First, it examines how constant stimulation has shaped attention, behaviour and regulation, and how rhythm and predictable structure can restore safety and calm. Second, it explores the difference between performance-based identity and relational belonging, arguing that young people flourish not through visibility and validation but through steady, attentive connection. Finally, it broadens the lens beyond the household, calling for a renewed culture of shared care in which mentors, educators and community networks help shoulder the weight of formation.
Neither alarmist nor nostalgic, this is not a manifesto against technology. Instead, it offers a constructive, research-informed pathway for families navigating change. Amit challenges the assumption that restriction alone creates resilience. What truly forms young people, he argues, is calm correction, consistent boundaries, meaningful conversation and community support.
At its core, When Screens Go Quiet is about restoration rather than regulation. It invites readers to move from distraction to depth, from performance to belonging and from isolation to shared care. In a moment of disruption, it offers language, hope and practical wisdom for parents, educators and community leaders seeking to rebuild rhythms that sustain wellbeing in a digital age.
