Apple News In Conversation How tech is transforming parenthood (for better or worse)
11 snips
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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Discovery of Genetic Condition
- Amanda Hess discovered her son's genetic condition during a routine ultrasound when he repeatedly stuck his tongue out.
- She immediately turned to the internet for information, feeling the need to understand the situation herself.
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.
