Up First from NPR Is Tech Really Helping Parents?
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Aug 10, 2025 
Amanda Hess, author of "Second Life: Having A Child In The Digital Age," shares her insights on how technology shapes modern parenting. She discusses the overwhelming influence of digital tools during pregnancy and beyond, questioning their emotional impact. The conversation highlights the paradox of relying on tech for safety while advocating for stronger community support. Hess also explores the complexities of privacy and empowerment in personal health data, ultimately urging parents to reflect on what truly enhances their parenting experience.
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Pregnancy Ended Her Detachment
- Amanda Hess lost her critical distance and began saving screenshots of the pregnancy internet.
- An abnormal ultrasound and a superstitious fear later turned those records into her book after her son was born.
Pregnancy Mode Turns Apps Into Discipline
- Flow shifted from an empowering period diary into a disciplinary pregnancy program.
- Amanda felt its generic fetus images represented her and shaped how she experienced her body.
Searches Trigger Intensive Ad Tracking
- A single Google search about pregnancy allowed dozens of ad trackers and over a hundred cookies to follow Amanda.
- Automated ad systems then quickly filled her Instagram with targeted prenatal and maternity ads.
