Apple News In Conversation How tech is transforming parenthood (for better or worse)
Jul 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Amanda Hess, a New York Times culture critic and author of 'Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age', shares her insights on tech's influence in modern parenting. She explores how pregnancy tracking apps impact expectant mothers emotionally and the societal pressures surrounding them. Hess also critiques parenting influencers, revealing the complexities of digital advice versus traditional support. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of community and social connections in navigating the challenges of parenthood.
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Pregnancy Apps Shape Perception
- Amanda felt pregnancy apps like Flo created a false intimacy by personalizing generic pregnancy info.
- She absorbed its gendered and normalized ideals about what a 'good pre-mother' should do.
Pregnancy as Gamified Surveillance
- Pregnancy apps gamify pregnancy, presenting idealized figures that reinforce narrow norms of beauty and behavior.
- These apps habituate women to external surveillance and diminish their sense of bodily autonomy.
Reevaluating 'Normal' Through Diagnosis
- After learning about her son's diagnosis, Amanda saw the app's generic fetus image as unrealistic.
- This shifted her understanding from idealized 'normal' to recognizing the diversity of disability and variation.
