Readers have shared their experiences of how social media platforms exploit pregnancy data, following an article by Kathryn Wheeler on the impact of algorithms on pregnant people and new mothers. One reader noted that her husband was not subjected to the same targeted content, and she eventually left social media due to the anxiety it caused. She described being bombarded with reels that suggested wearing socks hindered a baby's development, which led to worry and comparison with influencer mothers.
Another reader explained that she made her husband search for pregnancy-related content under his profile to avoid the algorithms targeting her. This strategy largely worked, and she described it as a helpful contribution to their family. A third reader, a clinical psychologist, highlighted that the amygdala is supercharged during pregnancy and postpartum, making new mothers more vulnerable to fear-inducing content. She noted that algorithms interpret lingering on such posts as a 'like' and amplify similar content.
The psychologist also referenced a 2012 New York Times report on how Target identified a teen's pregnancy before her family, arguing that today's platforms use similar data to keep new mothers engaged. She pointed out that people in negative moods are more likely to make impulse purchases, suggesting that platforms stoke fear to drive clicks and sales. This cycle can worsen postpartum depression and anxiety, but completely unplugging may lead to isolation and career setbacks.
One reader shared her experience of having a miscarriage while the algorithm guessed her pregnancy within days of a positive test, despite no prior interaction with pregnancy-related content. She described the targeted advertising as overwhelming and harmful. Another reader deleted Instagram after struggling with 'you should/shouldn't be doing this' posts during her baby's first year, instead relying on books and local parent friends for advice.
