

Having a child in a digital economy
May 19, 2025
Amanda Hess, a New York Times journalist and author of 'Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age,' shares her surprising journey into pregnancy. She examines how technology, from pregnancy apps to social media, impacts parental experiences and emotional well-being. Hess sheds light on the challenges of navigating a potentially serious diagnosis while dealing with the overwhelming nature of online information. She also raises crucial questions about data privacy and the importance of meaningful human connections in parenting.
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App Intimacy with Flo Health
- Amanda Hess discovered that the period-tracking app Flo Health helped her get pregnant by predicting her fertile days.
- She experienced a new level of intimacy with the app when switching it to pregnancy mode, which changed its tone drastically.
Pregnancy App Limits Revealed
- Amanda faced alarming news about her son's rare genetic condition during pregnancy and turned to the internet for information.
- She felt cast out of the usual pregnancy internet and sought medical info frantically, realizing apps didn't truly know her unique case.
Scary Medical Searches Online
- Amanda Googled about Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome after a preliminary diagnosis despite medical advice against it.
- She found frightening medical images that shaped her fears about her child's future rather than hopeful depictions.