Better Connected: How Girls Are Using Social Media for Good

by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Julia Kyi, Vivian Rosas (Illustrator)

The online world has real dangers, but girls around the world are using social media to create positive change and practice good digital citizenship.

You've probably seen media stories about the ways girls interact online, with headlines like "Depression in Girls Linked to Higher Use of Social Media," or "Half of Girls Are Bullied on Social Media." Better Connected focuses on the less-recognized and positive aspects of the online experiences of girls. From environmental activism to gun control, immigration policy to education access, girls are leading the way. They're showing up, teaming up and speaking up. With profiles of real changemakers and practical tools for getting started, Better Connected is an inspiring look at the amazing things girls can accomplish online.

112 pages, Hardcover

Published May 17, 2022

About the author

Tanya writes both fiction and non-fiction, often choosing topics related to science, pop culture, or social history—or a combination of the three. She enjoys combining factual research with intriguing narratives, or the life stories of interesting folks.

In her spare time, Tanya likes to run, bake, and read. Her favourite meal is breakfast, her favourite color is blue, and her favourite children’s book is A Wrinkle in Time.

Tanya grew up in Creston, B.C., and now lives in Vancouver with her husband, who claims to be the world's only Burmese occupational therapist. She balances writing time with parenthood, caring for her daughter Julia and her son Matthew.

Reviews

[Dotdala_reads (Sam R) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, ok- I know that the internet gets a bad rep, and sometimes for good reason- BUT- Better Connected is a perfect example of how much GOOD it can do. If it weren't for the connections I've made online, I probably would remove myself from social media and the like- but it truly does bring out the best in some of us and enhances our lives in unseen ways.

From building bonds and communities, heightening creativity and ingenuity, promoting diversity and inclusion all while also cultivating and nurturing the growth of education and learning- this mom and daughter duo crafted such an informative book on the POSTIVES that can come from being 'online'. Will you still have to sift through the garbage that you'll find in chat rooms, FB posts and IG stories?- Absolutely, but you'll be better equipped to have the tools to know HOW to sift and what to look for. You'll learn how to detect and report things that don't seem or feel right to you. There are sooo many sprinkles and splashes of wisdom throughout this book (& a lot of things I don't think I would necessarily think about on a daily basis).

Filled with a plethora of resources, helpful tricks, & safety tips- I highly suggest picking this one up to not only have an important discussion with your child/teen or student- but to be educated YOURSELF.

I found one of the best aspects of this book is that it's not just a mother writing on a topic geared towards the younger generation and social media- it's a combined effort with her daughter. Glimpses of conversations between them, and their own unique thoughts on a topic are found popped on the pages to give you a sense of relatability. If I was a teenager reading this, I can't say that I would be in the same headspace (term used in the book) as the mother so I found that it is a whole heck of a lot more poignant to hear it from your peers.

I immensely recommend adding this to your classrooms if you teach middle/high school students- it's a wealth of knowledge and promotes inspiration and positive online interactions.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public Library copy
Lloyd Kyi, who did the fantastic Lowdow on Denim (2011!), Mya's Strategy to Save the World, and Me and Banksy teams up with her teenage daughter to investigate how young women are using social media, how it affects them, and how they can use it to help the world instead. There are great illustrations, photographs, and interviews with a wide variety of people trying to change the world. I liked the sidebar #NoFilter where Kyi and her daughter discuss brief issues an offer differing generational perspectives.

I'll buy a copy for my library, since I think my students will enjoy this book, but since I have zero interest in either changing the world or using social media any more than I am absolutely forced to (Young Adult Books Central posts the monthly Book Haul on Facebook, so I have to go on there, and the book promotion world seems to revolve around Twitter), I had trouble getting too invested in it. Reading it the last week of the school year didn't help. This is one that high school and middle school libraries need, so definitely take a look.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Yolanda Ridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full review here:
http://yolandaridge.com/better-connec...

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get tired of hearing about the evils of social media, so I love that this book takes a different stand.