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ReThink the Internet: How to Make the Digital World a Lot Less Sucky
Stop hate. Promote Kindness. Be an Upstander.
ReThink the Internet.
Do you have to ask someone’s permission before posting their photo?
How can you tell if something on the internet is true? What should you do if you see someone bullying a friend online (or #IRL)?
In a series of fun stories, innovator, inventor, social entrepreneur, and upstanding digital citizen Trisha Prabhu goes through the hows, the whats, and the whys of digital citizenship, showing readers how to lead with kindness and stop internet hate.
For people who are just getting their first phone to others who have been scrolling, swiping, clicking, and posting for years, this book makes us all consider what our role is in the digital world and how, together, we can make it a force for good.
ReThink the Internet.
Do you have to ask someone’s permission before posting their photo?
How can you tell if something on the internet is true? What should you do if you see someone bullying a friend online (or #IRL)?
In a series of fun stories, innovator, inventor, social entrepreneur, and upstanding digital citizen Trisha Prabhu goes through the hows, the whats, and the whys of digital citizenship, showing readers how to lead with kindness and stop internet hate.
For people who are just getting their first phone to others who have been scrolling, swiping, clicking, and posting for years, this book makes us all consider what our role is in the digital world and how, together, we can make it a force for good.
176 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2023
3 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2025
This is good for its intended purpose: education about "netiquette" and how to be safe and successful online. It starts with a short introduction about the author and how and why she made ReThink. Then it goes into seven short stories exemplifying a certain internet problem and how to combat/avoid it.
I took a star off mostly because the tone feels a bit TOO upbeat? and sort of reads like one of those, "Hey, kids! It's cool to be in school!" sort of PSAs—even when I agree, it's sort of like when you end up like your parents. And I couldn't really get past the Joe Obviousfakename and Jane Meaningfulmoniker types of characters (no, really, the characters' last names are all thinly-veiled descriptions of the characters). By the fifth story, I felt like I had the gist of it and skipped to the end with the closing and "Companion Guide" (study review section).
As stated, it's good for the stated purpose and summarises a lot of what I've learned myself in my, er, several more years of internet than Prabhu's. Luckily, I've made the majority of my grossest mistakes on a reduced part of the internet: specific single websites that didn't branch out enough for the larger, bloodthirstier internet to grab onto and immortalise forever. By the time the internet became more of a cyberbullying paradise (or hell, rather), I knew to keep my head down and refrain from doing anything bad.
Probably because by then I had to Get a Job, and anything I posted threatened to hurt that. Hmm, that didn't really come up in this book, did it? I guess it's too far in the future to be an immediate concern for the target audience, other than Melinda's mother threatening to retract her "job" offer to let Melinda design her wedding dress.
So, a good book to hand to a younger internet denizen (as suggested in the introduction as a reason you might be reading the book) and rethink bad behaviour in the first place. Recommended for anyone starting out on the internet/social media for the first time, regardless of age (though VERY younger readers might need to wait a bit before reading this OR social media).
I took a star off mostly because the tone feels a bit TOO upbeat? and sort of reads like one of those, "Hey, kids! It's cool to be in school!" sort of PSAs—even when I agree, it's sort of like when you end up like your parents. And I couldn't really get past the Joe Obviousfakename and Jane Meaningfulmoniker types of characters (no, really, the characters' last names are all thinly-veiled descriptions of the characters). By the fifth story, I felt like I had the gist of it and skipped to the end with the closing and "Companion Guide" (study review section).
As stated, it's good for the stated purpose and summarises a lot of what I've learned myself in my, er, several more years of internet than Prabhu's. Luckily, I've made the majority of my grossest mistakes on a reduced part of the internet: specific single websites that didn't branch out enough for the larger, bloodthirstier internet to grab onto and immortalise forever. By the time the internet became more of a cyberbullying paradise (or hell, rather), I knew to keep my head down and refrain from doing anything bad.
Probably because by then I had to Get a Job, and anything I posted threatened to hurt that. Hmm, that didn't really come up in this book, did it? I guess it's too far in the future to be an immediate concern for the target audience, other than Melinda's mother threatening to retract her "job" offer to let Melinda design her wedding dress.
So, a good book to hand to a younger internet denizen (as suggested in the introduction as a reason you might be reading the book) and rethink bad behaviour in the first place. Recommended for anyone starting out on the internet/social media for the first time, regardless of age (though VERY younger readers might need to wait a bit before reading this OR social media).
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February 21, 2023Have you wanted to use the internet more responsibly? With Rethink the Internet, Trisha Prabhu leads readers on an engaging journey to learn how to be kind online and stand up against cyberbullying, enabling them to become more conscious digital citizens and make the web a better place! Prabhu's "Rethink the Internet" helps kids learn how to be mindful & responsible when it comes to using the internet, for a better world. Rethink the Internet teaches kids to use the internet mindfully & amp; responsibly to help make a positive change in our world. "Rethink the Internet" is a great book in any kid's collection.
Some good things about reading this book are it gives good advice about what to do in different situations. Rethink the internet mainly focus on asking before you post anything that’s not about you online. This book teaches how to properly use the internet when posting. Rethink the internet educates the reader to help recognize what cyberbullying is and what it looks like. With each chapter comes a different story that has a different problem.
Some not-so-good things about this book are the stories. Every chapter is a different story. Then once in a while during the chapter, it would get a bit confusing and off-topic. It’s very easy to get lost in this book. This book was made for kids who don’t have manners on social media.
ReThink the Internet is designed for a middle-grade, or 3rd-7th-grade, audience. Trisha’s goal was to create an Internet “survival guide” for youth getting their first phone. And that’s exactly what the book is. Through a series of funny, fictional stories, impart 7 core digital literacy lessons ranging from how to stay calm and collected online to managing screen time with the goal of equipping readers with the skills to be responsible digital citizens.
Some good things about reading this book are it gives good advice about what to do in different situations. Rethink the internet mainly focus on asking before you post anything that’s not about you online. This book teaches how to properly use the internet when posting. Rethink the internet educates the reader to help recognize what cyberbullying is and what it looks like. With each chapter comes a different story that has a different problem.
Some not-so-good things about this book are the stories. Every chapter is a different story. Then once in a while during the chapter, it would get a bit confusing and off-topic. It’s very easy to get lost in this book. This book was made for kids who don’t have manners on social media.
ReThink the Internet is designed for a middle-grade, or 3rd-7th-grade, audience. Trisha’s goal was to create an Internet “survival guide” for youth getting their first phone. And that’s exactly what the book is. Through a series of funny, fictional stories, impart 7 core digital literacy lessons ranging from how to stay calm and collected online to managing screen time with the goal of equipping readers with the skills to be responsible digital citizens.
July 8, 2022
Knew this book from TV during lunch at a local restaurant.
Out of curiosity, I just grab and read it. I gave it five stars because：1 a young author wrote a book for even younger readers 2. she used short stories in each chapter to explain how to be a positive digital citizen 3. target readers are 10 - 12 years or in grade 5 - 7. But I do not know if 10-12 years kids will love this book or not.
As an adult, I learned something from this easy reading. I liked her practical action plan after each chapter. Beyond what is mentioned in this book, We need to reflect a lot more on how to be a decent digital citizen.
Out of curiosity, I just grab and read it. I gave it five stars because：1 a young author wrote a book for even younger readers 2. she used short stories in each chapter to explain how to be a positive digital citizen 3. target readers are 10 - 12 years or in grade 5 - 7. But I do not know if 10-12 years kids will love this book or not.
As an adult, I learned something from this easy reading. I liked her practical action plan after each chapter. Beyond what is mentioned in this book, We need to reflect a lot more on how to be a decent digital citizen.
July 10, 2022
Fun and engaging, Trisha has masterfully created a guide to navigating the dangers and opportunities of the digital world. Highly recommended for teens, young adults, and beyond. This book helped me to reflect on the trustworthiness of information I see online, the content I post on social media, and how I can do my part to combat cyberbullying. Each chapter and story was accessible, entertaining, and informative.
August 30, 2022
Would make a good resource to use for Digital Citizenship lessons throughout the year - mainly for grades 5 and up but could be taught as low as 3rd if not using the challenges.
Seven different short stories that teach a theme and then have an "Internet Challenge" to reinforce the lesson.
Introduction told in first person by author, who explains the app she developed to help teens stay safe and polite while online. It includes photos of author practicing what she is preaching.
Seven different short stories that teach a theme and then have an "Internet Challenge" to reinforce the lesson.
Introduction told in first person by author, who explains the app she developed to help teens stay safe and polite while online. It includes photos of author practicing what she is preaching.
June 20, 2024
read with my library's 4th - 6th Grade ReThink Book Club, had a BLAST discussing the different chapters and lessons from each. The discussion questions and activities included at the back of the book were incredibly helpful in leading a book club. It allowed for good focal points and to keep the kids on track during each of the book clubs meetings. Thanks Trisha for the great lessons for kids growing up in a digital world!
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July 8, 2022Great for kids and adults alike. The internet isn’t going away and is a priceless tool… when used well. There are also endless dangers because that’s the world we live in. Great book for being thoughtful and aware. My 12 yo also read and I bought a copy for her STEM teacher in hopes they incorporate in the curriculum
July 9, 2022
Important topic and accessible book for upcoming generations of digital citizens. Trisha's work is inspiring. I'm obviously not in the target audience here, so can't say if the examples and tone/style resonate with young readers, but it's always great to have relatable voices passing on important lessons — not just from grown ups on high.
April 4, 2023
About your responsibilities when you use devices and the internet. Sometimes seems too babyish for teens and too old for middle grade, but knowing the age when kids get devices — a book is needed for middle grade and younger. This isn’t it. Probably middle school. Can have some good discussions based on the chapters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
Though written for preteens and teens, readers of all ages could use this refresher on how to use the internet. In seven short chapters, Prabhu offers tips and "make you think" examples for pausing before typing, posting, etc. She even offers a study guide at the end for further thoughts and exploration.
May 10, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.
I think this book would be a great tool in the classroom to help students navigate acceptable internet behavior, and appropriate digital citizenship.
I think this book would be a great tool in the classroom to help students navigate acceptable internet behavior, and appropriate digital citizenship.
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August 16, 2022Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy!
August 16, 2022
Great book for tweens!!! I recommend reading this book together (parents/child) before getting your kid a phone.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews