Digital Cocaine (eBook): A Journey Toward iBalance

by Brad Huddleston

What’s the difference between half a line of cocaine and an hour playing a video game? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned.
What can you do to be effective at multi-tasking? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned.
What do digital devices in the classroom contribute to focus and concentration? Nothing, as far as your brain is concerned.
In DIGITAL COCAINE, Brad Huddleston will replace your confusion, hesitancy and fear as it relates to the digital world with the facts that can make you and your family safer and more secure from page one.
Whether it’s gaming, pornography, cyberbullying, or the decline in grades, you’ll get a look inside your wonderful God-designed brain to understand how it interacts with the exploding world of digital communication and how you can keep your family safe.
Your smartphone, tablet and computer can be powerful tools to help you … or not. The choice is yours. DIGITAL COCAINE gives you the power to make that choice.

Genres: Nonfiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2016

Reviews

[Annie Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brad Huddleston blew me away with the hard truths of life in our technologically filled life. He spoke the truths of technology and its effects on the brain and humanity that others are too afraid or uninformed to voice. I found this book extremely helpful in learning how to be more productive, managing my internet usage and how to protect myself and my future children from the dangers of the internet. I would forever be grateful for coming across his video on Digital Cocaine (eBook): A Journey Toward iBalance. He helped someone very dear to me get free from gaming addiction and it had driven me to help others to find freedom from this curse.

In my opinion, Digital Cocaine (eBook): A Journey Toward iBalance is more a research paper that Brad Huddleston put together than a self-help book. He mostly gives his opinion on his references rather than this being his own knowledge (if it makes sense).

There were times where I found him to be a bit contradicting. First, he would state that technology is a good thing when it's used in moderation, but most of the book states how you should stay away from technology as often as you can. Unfortunately, due to most careers and schools being tech-driven, it would be hard to reach all the goals/tips he's given. But, this doesn't render his information any less legitimate or important. I think everyone should know about his research!

I can definitely recommend it, warts and all. As previously mentioned, my life completely changed after I came across Brad's research, so thank you for being obedient to your calling!

[Alicia Heatwole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
An incredibly honest, sometimes brutally so, look at our brains, technology, and addictions. I appreciated how in each chapter, Huddleston pointed out the real problems going on in technology, but then he followed up with practical tips on how to counteract/balance the effects of media. I also liked how he would point back to Jesus as the real Rescuer in any addiction.
If you have any role to play in education/training of children, this is a good one.

[Janneke Aylward · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a bit outdated by now, but it still gives some good principles.

[Maui Rochell · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was waiting for our worship team rehearsal, I had an idea to borrow a physical book from our churchmate and I started reading this weirdly while completing my 10k steps inside the worship hall, it got me hooked instantly because the topic was really interesting. It was about digital technology and phone addiction, I read the first 50 pages there and finished it 2 weeks later inside the hospital while waiting for my check up.

What I was surprised to discover here was the number of things you could be struggling with when you tap into the world of technology like social media, video games, entertainment, pornography and even up to cyberbullying. It's certainly a lot.

Throughout the middle of the book, the author addressed his message for parents and how to help their child manage these things. Personally, I believe this is manageable with supervision and discipline. Even I to myself is aware that I am still a work in progress because I am struggling at times with revenge bedtime procrastination. 😆

[Azir Gamboa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

[Eric Zwerneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info; life changing for me. Just a little repetitive.

[Cindy Mermejo]

Who has ebook on this? I really want to read this. Can i ask for a copy?

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Will definitely change my view on my kid's dependency on electronics.

[Luca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that's not afraid to talk about hard topics that many of us don't necessarily want to face.

[Nolan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wellneeded book for myself and the 21st century world at large. Brad gives enormous amounts of evidence from neuroscientists to psychologists about the damage that technology in excess can cause. Plus, I had the privilege of hearing Brad in person and he is truly one of the most humble speakers I have ever heard. I include this because the book can seem a bit hawkish at times (Brad's attitude towards video gaming and social media is similar to Dave Ramsey's attitude towards credit cards) but having met him, I believe he is doing a courageous and much needed work. I would highly recommend this book.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read with practical (although not necessarily easy) tips to make the shift towards more analog activities in favour of excess digital ones.

His views will seem extreme to some and there is a heavy Christian slant to the book, but his recommendations are all backed up with an extensive reference list at the end of the book. At the very least I think everyone should read if and at least be aware of the effect that use of digital devices has on adult and even more so on developing brains. Digital dementia is a thing.