What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future Online and Pregnant
May 11, 2025
Amanda Hess, a critic at the New York Times and author of “Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age,” discusses the complex interplay between pregnancy and technology. She reflects on a poignant sonogram experience during COVID-19, revealing the emotional toll of isolation. The conversation touches on how apps and social media shape parenting experiences, ruminating on the ethical implications of sharing personal stories online. Hess navigates the challenges of a digitally connected pregnancy, addressing privacy concerns and societal pressures faced by mothers today.
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Pregnancy Ultrasound Isolation Anecdote
- Amanda Hess felt desperate to use her phone to Google during a concerning ultrasound when COVID protocols left her alone.
- Her phone represented a lifeline for information and reassurance in a vulnerable moment.
Pregnancy Apps' Illusion of Intimacy
- Pregnancy apps create an illusion of intimate knowledge about the user's body despite limited data.
- This fosters a feeling of constant external monitoring and performance pressure during pregnancy.
Invasive Pregnancy Ad Targeting
- Advertising algorithms automatically and quickly infer pregnancy without human intervention.
- This targeting ignores emotional nuance, making it feel invasive and sometimes offensive to pregnant users.
