13 Books for Tough Conversations with Kids: Body Safety, Tech, and Porn

A good book can be your best friend. Especially when it comes to tackling topics like body safety, pornography, and digital safety. 

If starting these conversations makes you break into a nervous sweat, don’t worry! We’re here to help!

Because we both know it’s crucial that they hear about these topics from you — not their friends or the internet where unreliable and downright harmful information abounds.

Books do more than just inform— they provide a clear script with a beginning, middle, and end, keeping conversations on track. Plus, reading together feels less intimidating than a formal sit-down talk, letting you explore these subjects side by side.

That’s why at Defend Young Minds, we’ve handpicked some of our favorite books that make these important discussions easier. You’ll find books for your kids tackling body safety, sex, and pornography. You’ll also find a few just for parents, so you can get informed about:

• social media harms,
• screen addiction, and
• mental illness fueled by a phone-based childhood.

Ready to dive in? Here’s our top recommendations by category to help make these challenging conversations a little easier.

Books for talking to kids about body safety

Teaching your child about body safety is one of the most powerful ways to keep them safer from sexual abuse. These books make it easier for kids to understand boundaries, recognize red flags, and feel confident about speaking up if something doesn’t feel right.

1. Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults by Kimberly King

A go-to guide for adults, Body Safety for Young Children covers everything parents need to know about protecting kids from sexual abuse. Written by a popular prevention expert, this book is packed with practical tools and insights, including:

• “What-if” scenarios to help kids prepare for situations where someone may try to violate their boundaries.
• Body safety lessons that are child-friendly and approachable. 
• Social-media safety tips to guide conversations around technology.
• Advice on creating safety circles of trusted adults.
• Tips on using correct terms for body parts, which reinforces open and clear communication.

2. I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Kimberly King

Written from a child’s point of view, I Said No! is all about helping kids recognize and respond to inappropriate behavior. It covers a range of topics, including:

• Recognizing safe and unsafe behavior and knowing what’s appropriate with whom.
• Practical responses for handling bribes and threats.
• How to ask for help, even if the first adult doesn’t listen.
• Coping with difficult feelings like guilt and shame.

As a natural complement to Body Safety for Young Children, this book reinforces essential lessons about boundaries in a way that kids can understand.

3. Say "NO!" and TELL! by Kimberly Perry

This fun, engaging series offers two tailored versions: one for boys featuring Daxton the Dolphin, and one for girls starring Maisie the Butterfly. Both books use loveable characters to teach kids about boundaries and body safety. Key features include:

• Engaging role-play scenarios for practicing body safety skills.
• A memorable “personal safety jingle” to reinforce important actions.
• Practical tools like a Family Safety Plan and a review quiz.

Through creative storytelling and hands-on activities, Say "NO!" and TELL! empowers kids with personal safety prevention skills for responding to tricky situations.

4. The Brave Knight by Diane Tarantini

Through a fairy-tale story about a girl, a dragon, and a brave knight, The Brave Knight helps children understand that they can speak up when something makes them feel uncomfortable. Key features include:

• An age-appropriate look at grooming behaviors and language.
• Discussion questions and extension activities for reinforcing lessons.
• A list of resources, including helplines, for children to contact if they need help.

5. My Voice Is My Super Power by Shariea Shoatz

Written from a child’s perspective, My Voice Is My Super Power follows Buddy, a young boy who learns about body safety after helping his cousin. Buddy’s journey teaches kids how to:

• Use their voices as a “superpower” to speak up if they feel unsafe.
• Establish body autonomy and safe boundaries.
• Understand the importance of using correct names for body parts.
• Create a “safety circle” of trusted adults.

6. Some Parts are NOT for Sharing by Julie Federico

This book uses friendly fish characters to gently teach body boundaries. With its simple illustrations and comforting language, Some Parts are Not for Sharing helps young kids understand:

• The difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch.
• The importance of privacy and personal space.

7. The King's Daughter by Joshua Gilman

The King’s Daughter reads like a fairy tale, but it’s got a big message: your worth doesn’t change, no matter what. With its magical illustrations and powerful message, this beautiful story reinforces:

• Self-worth and confidence in a way that resonates with young readers.
• Resilience, teaching that worth remains unchanged, no matter what happens.
• The importance of speaking up and seeking help.

Related: 5 Body Safety Rules Every 5-Year-Old Should Know

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Books for parenting in the digital age

Screens, social media, and tech are part of our kids’ world. These books dive into the effects of technology and help you set healthy boundaries.

1. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

The Anxious Generation explores how the shift from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood” has fueled a surge in mental health issues among young people. Haidt explains how this “great rewiring” has led to more anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Key takeaways include:

• Ways the loss of independent play and exploration impacts kids’ confidence and happiness.
• The unique risks social media poses for girls.
• The impact of boys retreating into the virtual world.
• Clear steps for parents, schools, and communities to restore a balanced, more fulfilling childhood.

2. Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids - and How to Break the Trance by Nicholas Kardaras

Kardaras, famous for likening screen time to “digital heroin,” explores deep in Glow Kids how excessive screentime affects young, developing brains in ways similar to substance addiction. Using brain imaging research, he demonstrates its connection to behavioral issues such as:

• ADHD, 
• aggression, and
• anxiety.

Glow Kids also gives clear steps for reducing screentime and fostering healthy, screen-free activities.

3. Digital Madness: How Social Media Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis--and How to Restore Our Sanity by Nicholas Kardaras

A follow-up to Glow Kids, Digital Madness expands the focus to teens and young adults— tackling how social media and tech addiction fuel mental health struggles. Kardaras offers practical guidance on how to:

• Recognize the signs and effects of tech addiction.
• Reduce screen dependency in teens.
• Foster healthier tech habits within your family.

4. Creating a Tech-Healthy Family: Ten Must-Have Conversations to Help You Worry Less and Connect More With Your Kids by Andrea Davis

When Andrea Davis realized she’d introduced too much tech too soon in her own family, she made the bold decision to scale back.

Advocating for a “slow-tech” approach, Davis teaches parents how to thoughtfully introduce tech in a way that protects children’s mental and emotional well-being. Creating a Tech-Healthy Family includes:

• Family discussions and tech talks to set clear, shared rules.
• Advice on handling social media and gaming.

Tips for balancing screen time with family connection and offline activities.

Related: Breaking the Social Media Trap: Experts Share How to Improve Mental Health

Books for talking to kids about pornography

Kids who are caught off guard can easily be pulled into pornography by peer pressure and their own curiosity. The Good Pictures Bad Pictures read-aloud books help children reject pornography by giving them a definition, a warning, and a plan. 

1. Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids by Kristen Jenson

This Amazon bestseller is a read-aloud book for ages 7-11, and makes talking to your kids about pornography natural and comfortable. Key features include:

‍Easy-to-understand science and simple analogies to help your child develop defenses against the harms of pornography, especially its addictive nature. 

• A practical, five-step, CAN DO plan for responding to pornography.
• Clear, child-friendly language that makes a difficult topic approachable.

2. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds by Kristen Jenson

Young children deserve to be armed early against pornography. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. makes it easy for parents to protect their young kids ages 3-6. This book features:

• A Turn, Run & Tell strategy for kids to use when they are exposed to inappropriate content.
• Gentle language and visuals that feel approachable for young kids.

Related: It’s Awkward, and It’s OK: You CAN Talk to Your Kids About Pornography

Just start!

It’s normal to feel awkward about talking to your kids about these sensitive topics. The good news is, you don’t need to be perfect at it— the important thing is to just start! Pick one book to read for yourself and one to read with your child, and take it from there. You’ll be glad you did!