Podcast Summary: "Is Tech Really Helping Parents?"
Introduction
In the August 10, 2025 episode of NPR's Up First, host Ayesha Rascoe introduces a deep dive into the intersection of technology and modern parenting through the segment "The Sunday Story." Producer Molly Rosen engages in an insightful conversation with Amanda Hess, author of Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age. This discussion explores the complexities and implications of raising children amidst rapidly advancing technology.
Navigating Parenthood in the Digital Era
Amanda Hess begins by sharing her personal journey into parenthood, which coincided with her exploration of how technology mediates the parenting experience. She reflects on the overwhelming nature of integrating tech tools into raising a child and how companies often exploit parental anxieties to market gadgets beyond necessity.
“When I got pregnant, I realized that my relationship with the Internet was changing drastically,” Hess explains at [03:27]. “I couldn’t leave it behind emotionally like I used to.”
The Double-Edged Sword of Parenting Apps
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the use of pregnancy and parenting apps, particularly the popular period tracker Flo. Hess critiques how these apps transition from empowering tools to disciplinary programs once a user enters "pregnancy mode."
“Activating pregnancy mode transformed Flo from an empowering diary into a disciplinary program,” Hess notes at [06:28], highlighting the shift in user experience. She emphasizes how the gamification of pregnancy can create a false sense of control and surveillance over natural processes.
Privacy Concerns and Data Exploitation
Hess delves into the alarming privacy implications associated with parenting apps. She recounts her experience of how a simple pregnancy-related search led to pervasive ad tracking and personalized advertising, illustrating the invasive nature of consumer surveillance.
At [09:57], she states, “When I searched what to do when you get pregnant, it allowed 74 ad tracking companies to track me and sent that information to Facebook.” This observation underscores the hidden data exchange that occurs behind the scenes, often unbeknownst to the user.
Personal Trials and Technological Dependencies
The discussion progresses to Hess’s personal challenges during her first son's infancy, particularly the reliance on devices like the Snoo robotic bassinet and smart baby monitors. She critiques how these technologies promise enhanced control and optimization of a child’s sleep, yet often lead to increased anxiety and dependency.
“The Snoo promised one to two extra hours of sleep for my baby, which felt like a lifetime,” Hess reflects at [16:48]. She shares her realization that instead of alleviating stress, these devices sometimes complicate the understanding of her child's needs, fostering a dependency on technological solutions rather than trusting parental instincts.
Surveillance as a Modern Parenting Tool
Hess elaborates on the concept of surveillance in parenting, illustrating how technology blurs the lines between care and control. She describes her experience with the Nanit AI-enabled baby monitor, which visually represents her child in an unsettling manner, making her question the implications of constant monitoring.
“Seeing my son’s bed through the camera as four glowing red eyes made me question how surveillance is becoming equated to care,” Hess shares at [23:16]. This moment encapsulates her concern over the normalization of surveillance in everyday parenting practices.
Cultural Shifts and the Illusion of Control
Concluding the discussion, Hess reflects on the broader cultural shifts influenced by parenting technology. She argues that these technologies cultivate an illusion of control, suggesting that meticulous data and monitoring can substitute genuine support and human connection.
“What we get is a lot of information and insights when what we actually need is support,” Hess asserts at [23:25]. She advocates for a reimagining of parental support systems that prioritize community and emotional assistance over technological intervention.
Final Thoughts
Amanda Hess's insights in this episode of Up First offer a critical examination of how technology intersects with the deeply personal experience of parenting. Her reflections urge listeners to consider the true value and impact of the digital tools that increasingly shape the journey of raising children in the modern age.
Notable Quotes
- “I couldn’t leave it behind emotionally like I used to.” — Amanda Hess [03:27]
- “Activating pregnancy mode transformed Flo from an empowering diary into a disciplinary program.” — Amanda Hess [06:28]
- “When I searched what to do when you get pregnant, it allowed 74 ad tracking companies to track me and sent that information to Facebook.” — Amanda Hess [09:57]
- “The Snoo promised one to two extra hours of sleep for my baby, which felt like a lifetime.” — Amanda Hess [16:48]
- “Seeing my son’s bed through the camera as four glowing red eyes made me question how surveillance is becoming equated to care.” — Amanda Hess [23:16]
- “What we get is a lot of information and insights when what we actually need is support.” — Amanda Hess [23:25]
Conclusion
This episode of Up First serves as a poignant exploration of the benefits and pitfalls of integrating technology into parenting. Through Amanda Hess's experiences and critical analysis, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how digital tools can both aid and complicate the journey of raising children in today's technologically driven society.