Fresh Air Podcast Summary: "Having A Child In The Digital Age"
Episode Title: Having A Child In The Digital Age
Host: Tonya Moseley
Guest: Amanda Hess, Journalist, Cultural Critic, and Author of Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Fresh Air, host Tonya Moseley converses with Amanda Hess about her memoir, Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age. Hess delves into her personal journey of pregnancy, the challenges of navigating medical uncertainties, and the pervasive influence of digital technology on modern parenthood.
A Pivotal Moment: The Unexpected Ultrasound [00:01 - 04:16]
Amanda Hess recounts the defining moment that set the stage for her memoir:
Amanda Hess [02:59]: "He told me that he saw something that I didn't like. And that phrase has really stuck with me."
At 29 weeks pregnant, Hess receives alarming news during a routine ultrasound, indicating a potential genetic condition in her unborn child. This revelation triggers a cascade of medical tests, online research, and a deep dive into the digital landscape surrounding motherhood.
Navigating the Digital Landscape of Pregnancy [04:16 - 07:26]
Hess illustrates how technology permeated every aspect of her pregnancy:
Amanda Hess [04:16]: "I turned to the Internet. I turned to apps. Later, when my child was born, I turned to gadgets."
She emphasizes how digital tools became narrative devices, shaping her expectations and perceptions of motherhood in an algorithm-driven society.
Maternal Guilt and Medical Terminology [07:26 - 12:12]
The conversation shifts to the historical notions of maternal impression and the inherent blame often directed at mothers:
Amanda Hess [09:47]: "I had created my son and he was wonderful and I was capable as his mother."
Hess uncovers the lingering pseudoscientific idea that a mother's thoughts and feelings can physically affect her child, highlighting the persistent blame embedded within medical terminology.
Encountering Pseudoscience Online [12:12 - 17:02]
As Hess's search for information intensifies, she encounters disturbing pseudoscientific theories:
Amanda Hess [12:30]: "Understanding that that was a cultural idea that this person was crystallizing and promoting really helped me to forgive myself."
These experiences underscore the dangers of misinformation and its impact on maternal mental health.
The Impact of Prenatal Testing and Choice [17:02 - 28:11]
Hess discusses the advancements in prenatal testing and the ethical dilemmas they present:
Amanda Hess [18:08]: "I do have this new understanding of the context in which these decisions are being made... it's not the availability of abortion... it's the context."
She grapples with how early and comprehensive genetic testing can pressure parents into making difficult decisions amidst stigmatized views of disability.
Surveillance Culture in Modern Parenting [32:53 - 35:55]
The dialogue transitions to the broader theme of surveillance in parenting:
Amanda Hess [34:14]: "He's seeing four mechanical eyes."
Hess shares personal anecdotes about baby monitors and surveillance gadgets, questioning how constant monitoring affects both parent and child, and whether it contributes to a culture of incessant oversight.
The Future of Raising Children in a Digital Age [37:59 - 41:27]
Reflecting on her experiences, Hess contemplates the future implications of digital technology in child-rearing:
Amanda Hess [37:59]: "It's really going to take, like, the socialization of technology in order for us to really understand its potential as, like, something that's positive for us and our children."
She acknowledges the benefits of online communities for support but expresses concern over the commodification of technology driven by profit motives, emphasizing the need for socially conscious technological development.
Conclusion
Tonya Moseley wraps up the conversation by acknowledging Hess's insightful exploration of the intersection between parenthood and digital technology. Hess's memoir offers a poignant critique of how modern tools both assist and complicate the journey of raising a child in an increasingly digital world.
Tonya Moseley [41:25]: "Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us about it."
Notable Quotes:
- Amanda Hess [02:59]: "He told me that he saw something that I didn't like."
- Amanda Hess [09:47]: "I had created my son and he was wonderful and I was capable as his mother."
- Amanda Hess [18:08]: "I do have this new understanding of the context in which these decisions are being made."
- Amanda Hess [34:14]: "He's seeing four mechanical eyes."
- Amanda Hess [37:59]: "It's really going to take, like, the socialization of technology in order for us to really understand its potential as, like, something that's positive for us and our children."
This episode of Fresh Air provides a comprehensive look into the complexities of modern parenthood amidst digital advancements, highlighting Amanda Hess's personal struggles and broader societal implications.