How social media tries to exploit your pregnancy | Letters

"I say mothers as I noticed my husband was not subjected to the same algorithms that I was. I, too, found it completely overwhelming when I was pregnant and have come off all social media, as the suggested reels I was barraged with did nothing but create anxiety for me as a new parent. I decided it was toxic messaging that I didn't need to be privy to."

"I rejoined Facebook to connect with others after having a baby, but I was soon being spammed with nonsense (I remember a lot of reels claiming you hindered your baby's development if they wore socks), which, in my sleepdeprived and timerich state (ie during hours of breastfeeding at night), I would often find myself clicking on, and then be sent spiralling with worry, or comparing myself with the influencer mums."

"To avoid the exact situation described in this article, I made my husband do any and all pregnancy- and baby-related site viewing and searches under his profiles so that the algorithms wouldn't know I was an almost-40-year-old woman trying to get pregnant. For the most part it worked. Seemed like an easy and helpful thing he could do for us as a family and it was worth it."

Algorithms frequently guessed pregnancy status and flooded feeds with pregnancy- and baby-related content. The targeted reels generated anxiety, harmful messaging, and comparisons with influencer mothers. Sleep-deprived and time-rich moments increased susceptibility to clicking and spiralling with worry. The husband performing searches under his profiles reduced algorithmic targeting and largely prevented intrusive content. Leaving social media, deleting apps, relying on trusted parenting books, and forming local parent friendships provided practical support and reduced negative influence. Social media groups can offer local connections, but algorithmic spam and conflicting advice often outweigh benefits for new parents.

Read at www.theguardian.com