Baby Apps - Mapping the Issues
Version 2 2025-07-02, 04:33
Version 1 2025-06-22, 22:30
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posted on 2025-07-02, 04:33 authored by Katrin LangtonKatrin LangtonBaby Apps - Mapping the Issues
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Pagination
1-53Open access
- Yes
ISSN
2653-5270Language
engResearch statement
Background The use of mobile applications to track, monitor and manage ever-more intimate and personal aspects of everyday life – from our steps, heart rate and mental states, to becoming a parent – has become a mundane practice. Contribution This paper details four key issues that are central to a better understanding of the social and cultural roles and impacts of baby apps. These issues include the datafication of childhoods and family life; the role of baby apps as disciplining tools for institutional-level risk management and self-governance; the social and individual impacts of the gendered design and use of baby apps; and the necessity to investigate how baby apps can play an increasing role in empowering parents and families. Significance Baby apps are mobile applications designed to help parents manage the transition to parenthood, from family planning to infant care, focussing specifically on tracking-tools and informational support. Baby app use is likely to become even more integrated into parents’ and children’s lives: as an everyday practice of health-monitoring and self-care, a routine parenting practice, a way to commodify the transition to parenthood, and as a tool for public health promotion.Publication classification
A6 Research report/technical paperPublisher
The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital ChildPlace of publication
Brisbane, Qld.Series
Digital Child Working Paper Series 2024-04Usage metrics
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