In the author’s Introduction they share a dark fairytale in which greedy wizards give out “magic stones,” promising that they will bring “friendship, freedom and fun” to everyone (2). People spend more and more time gazing at the stones, which the wizards use to turn human energy into “gold” (2). However, the wizards had lied: No one felt any better with the stones—instead, they actually felt more lonely. Over time, some people realized they could rebel and stop the stones from controlling their lives. Instead of looking at their stones they focused on creating real friendships and having experiences. The wizards tried to lure them back, making the stones more powerful than ever; however, they continued to resist.

The authors tell the reader that this myth is based on real life. Tech inventors and CEOs are just like wizards, and the stones in the story represent phones and other devices. While some tech can be helpful, many real-life “tech wizards” just want to exploit people’s attention so they can make a profit. People who rebel against this exploitation are kids and adults who don’t sit around on their phones, but focus on being active and engaged in the real world. The Rebel’s Code is to use tech as a useful tool when necessary, and to fill life with real fun and genuine friendships. They include personal testimonials from several young people who explain how they quit social media and put their energy into hobbies, sports, and self-discovery.

The authors explain that this book will explore social problems with tech and how to solve them, as well as sharing a graphic novel story which is based on real kids’ experiences. The graphic novel features characters Jax, Callie, Sophie, Alex, Emma and David. In the first comic passage, the kids arrive at school and discuss their phones, agreeing that smart phones are more fun than “flip phones” which can only make calls. Callie asks Emma to hang out after school but, distracted by her phone, Emma declines. Over the weekend, Emma and Tyler use their phones to post pictures and videos on social media, gaining likes and comments from their friends. Meanwhile, Callie, Jax and Sophie, who don’t have smartphones, do other activities like reading, playing piano, and skateboarding.

In their Introduction, the authors’ dark fairytale depicts a real-world situation in an attempt to make the issue of addictive tech more accessible for younger readers. By presenting tech leaders as greedy villains, the authors raise the stakes on the issue of digital dependency, presenting it as a moral issue and not just a lifestyle choice. By including personal testimonials from real young people, the authors add evidence and a sense of authenticity to their work. In using the testimonials of younger people, the authors also try to use peer-to-peer advice to help persuade their target audience in a friendly and more egalitarian way, instead of relying solely on their own top-down authority as adult experts. The fictional storyline also helps to illustrate the key principles the authors wish to share, in an attempt to help younger readers visualize what digital dependency looks like in real life. 

Chapter Lessons

• “Tech wizards” are inventors and company owners whose main goal is to make a profit
• Technology can be a helpful tool, but only if it isn’t controlling your behavior
• “Rebels” are kids who choose to limit their tech time so they can get more out of life

Reflection Questions

• Do you relate to one of the characters in the graphic novel? Why?
• Which aspect of technology is most helpful to you? How and why do you use it?
• In the story, people became entranced by the “magic stones.” Which online activity, website, or game is the most appealing to you? Why? Do you think this activity is helpful, or distracting?