Yellow Kite signs up new parenting book to challenge the Zombies

Editorial Director Nicky Ross has acquired World rights in Generation Zombie: Why devices are harming our children and what we can do about it by Psychologist and Psychotherapist Dr Charlotte Armitage, in a deal with Jonathan Conway at Jonathan Conway Literary Agency.

Through her clinical work as a psychotherapist, work with schools and as a duty of care psychologist, Dr Armitage has witnessed the terrifying impact of screen time on her young clients and their families. Whether we like it or not, devices are now part of everyday life from the moment children are born. Generation Zombie answers these concerns for parents, caregivers and educators working with children from new-borns and upwards.

Many theories that form the bedrock of good parenting were created decades before devices even existed – they don't consider the significant impact on a child's psychological and physical development. With the vital insights in her book – including practical tips and engaging case studies – Dr Armitage’s mission is hopeful and empowering; to enable parents to make a positive change.

Dr Armitage is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist who has worked in NHS and various other mental health settings. A duty-of-care psychologist with specialist media knowledge, she is on the registered list of mental health practitioners for all major UK broadcasters and has been the duty-of-care psychologist for the television shows Genius Game, Kill List, Heartstopper, Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Only Way is Essex, and Celebs Go Dating. In 2022, Dr Armitage launched a National Awareness Day called ‘No Phones at Home’. She works with various councils across the UK to educate teachers and safeguarding leads about how device use impacts children, including developing and delivering the ‘Be Device Wise’ programme and launching 'Disconnect to Reconnect' week, which was rolled out across 292 schools across Leeds earlier this year and with more councils joining the initiative since September. Business Insider has named Dr Armitage one of the top ten BAME female entrepreneurs in Europe to watch, and she regularly appears in the media.

Nicky Ross said, ‘I had been looking for a practical parenting book that deals with the issue of phones and devices because, like most households I know, phones seem to be the cause of never-ending conflict at home. Charlotte’s book really struck a chord.’

Dr Armitage said, ‘The landscape of the early years has changed so quickly, yet parents and caregivers do not have access to the evidence-based, practical advice they need to manage this invasion of screens. They can see their children become addicted to devices, but don't know what to do. Generation Zombie will fill this knowledge gap. It is never too late to make changes and put things right. If we recognise the problem of device use, we can regain control of our families and allow our children to grow up as they should.'