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How algorithms target teens
Why social media platforms are engineered to exploit adolescent psychology, and what that looks like in practice.
Now Available on Amazon
The Talk We Forgot to Have
Raising Resilient Teens in a World Built to Mislead Them
A research-based, practical guide for parents and educators who want to raise teens that can think critically about the media landscape they live in, not just survive it.
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About the Book
We live in a world where false information spreads faster than true information, where algorithms are engineered to exploit the vulnerabilities of the adolescent brain, and where the line between fact and manipulation is invisible to the untrained eye.
Yet most parents and educators have never been given the tools to talk about any of this with the teens in their lives. The conversation keeps getting postponed, until it is too late.
The Talk We Forgot to Have changes that. Drawing on original research with educators across the United States and surveys of adolescents, Dr. Doda Lulgjuraj delivers a clear, actionable guide that meets parents and teachers where they are, and gives them exactly what they need to start the conversation that matters most.
What You Will Learn
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The anatomy of misinformation
How false and misleading content is created, spread, and why it is so effective on young minds.
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Research-backed frameworks
Practical tools drawn from original research with educators and adolescents across the United States.
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Scripts for real conversations
How to open the dialogue with your teen without shutting them down, with real examples and language you can use today.
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The educator's toolkit
Classroom-ready strategies for teachers who want to bring media literacy into their curriculum.
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Building long-term resilience
How to raise a teen who does not just spot a lie, but understands why it was built and who benefits from it.
Early Readers
What Readers Are Saying
Real reactions from parents and educators who have read The Talk We Forgot to Have.
★★★★★
“Fantastic read!”
Dr. Lulgjuraj has hit the nail on the head with this book. Easy to read, yet packed with real insight and thought-provoking ideas. I'd recommend it to anyone parenting a middle or high schooler.
★★★★★
“Great read!”
Every parent and educator should have this book on their shelf. Dr. Lulgjuraj addresses the challenges teens face today, especially social media and misinformation, with practical advice that helps parents guide their teens toward better decisions.
★★★★★
“A Very Important Topic”
As a parent of both a high schooler and a middle schooler, this book really hit home. It opened my eyes and got some important conversations going with my kids about social media and today's “normal.”
★★★★★
“A must buy!”
A must buy for any educator or parent of any age group!
★★★★★
“Great book!”
Outlines the issues kids and teens face with misinformation and explains the importance of media literacy today. Easy to read and a must-have for educators and parents raising kids in today's world.
About the Author
Dr. Doda Lulgjuraj
Dr. Doda Lulgjuraj is a national Edward R. Murrow Award-winning broadcast journalist, doctoral researcher, and Graduate Faculty at the University of Florida. His work sits at the intersection of journalism, strategic communication, and media literacy education.
Edward R. Murrow Award Winner · Doctoral Researcher · Graduate Faculty, University of Florida
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