Moms Use Technology: Who Knew?

For the first time, this year’s CES (International Consumer Electronics Show) dedicated a series of sessions to the use of technology by moms –– demolishing a long-held stereotype that women/moms are technologically illiterate.  And a recent survey by BabyCenter LLC, a leading online global resource for expectant and new moms, indicates that nothing could be further from the truth.

“The 21^st Century Mom Report,” shows a sharp increase in moms’ use of social media, up 462% from three years prior, and the use of cell phones to go online up 348%.   Other survey results include:

• 63% of online moms now regularly use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, compared to only 11% three years ago
• 44% use social media sites and blogs for purchasing and brand recommendations. The percentage of moms reading and writing blogs also has increased dramatically since 2006.
• Other online trends revealed in BabyCenter’s survey include fewer moms taking their kids to the doctor. This means that more moms are becoming Dr. Mom – researching their children’s illnesses on the Internet–at times, even making their own diagnosis. Specifically, the report showed that
• 82% of moms were actively seeking second medical opinions via the Internet.
• Moms are using PDA technology to manage hectic family schedules, digital cameras to share family life and gaming consoles to connect with their children.

I’m not sure if any of this came as a surprise to me, but then again, I am a mom.  I am a Digital mom who sometimes feels that she lives on the Internet – both for work and pleasure.  I shop online (oh, how I love Amazon!); I bank online, and evaluate products online.  I would be lost without Google.  I love that I don’t have to stand in line at the post office to buy stamps.  And I particularly love that I can stay in contact with long-distance relatives in a way that was impossible just a few years ago.

So, if we’ve come this far digitally in just a few short years, where does that tell us we’ll be going over the next five years?  It’ll be fascinating to find out.