Is Tech Really Helping Parents?

In this episode of NPR's "The Sunday Story," "On The Media" producer Molly Rosen interviews author Amanda Hess about her new book, "Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age." Hess discusses how technology and the internet mediated her experiences during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. She shares her initial critical perspective on pregnancy-related online content, which shifted to a more personal and superstitious viewpoint after an abnormal ultrasound. The conversation explores the use of period tracker apps like Flow, the privacy implications of sharing personal health data, and the impact of targeted advertising. Hess also recounts her experience with the SNOO, a robotic bassinet, and other baby products marketed to optimize sleep, reflecting on how these technologies can both inform and interfere with parental understanding and control. Ultimately, the discussion delves into the broader societal implications of relying on technology for parenting advice and the potential for surveillance to be normalized as a form of care.