Philosopher's Zone Knowledge, culture and parenting apps
Nov 6, 2025
Georgia Felton, a Brisbane-based author and human rights activist, delves into the complexities of modern parenting practices. She highlights how parenting apps, often rooted in Western science, can overshadow traditional wisdom, causing rifts in multi-generational families. Georgia discusses the surprising global uniformity in parenting practices and the balance mothers strike between cultural rituals and digital advice. She warns against the potential loss of nuanced knowledge and emphasizes that while apps can empower, they often reinforce traditional gender roles.
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Global Apps Collide With Local Childcare
- Global parenting apps export Western 'science-backed' advice to the Global South at scale.
- This creates a collision between digital expertise and local caregiving traditions.
Research Born From Personal Loss
- Georgia Felton started Tales from the Trenches after feeling overwhelmed and isolated as a new parent without her mother.
- She interviewed over 100 mothers worldwide to capture diverse parenting experiences.
Surprising Global Uniformity
- Many parents worldwide now use demand-feeding, co-sleeping and sleep-tracking, producing surprising uniformity.
- Online resources drive convergence of parenting practices across diverse cultures.
