I remember the screech of the dial-up modem vividly—those painfully slow connections that meant you couldn’t use the phone and the internet at the same time. Back then, having the internet at home felt like a luxury, not a lifeline. And I often find myself wondering what parenting must have been like during those early days of the web, or even before it entirely.
There was less help online back then—forums were few and far between, and websites with reliable information on parenting or child development were scarce. But strangely, I think there might have been less pressure, too. No curated Instagram feeds, no parenting influencers telling you how to get your baby to sleep through the night, and definitely no “mum wars” raging in the comments sections.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a different world. Support is more accessible than ever. With a few clicks, we can join parenting groups, watch how-to videos, and read personal stories that make us feel less alone. For neurodiverse families especially, the internet can be a lifeline—connecting us to resources, professionals, and each other. It’s a powerful thing when used right.
But there’s another side to it. Comparison is everywhere. We’re constantly exposed to the highlight reels of other families’ lives. It can make us feel like we’re not doing enough or not getting it right. The pressure to be perfect—to parent “by the book”—can be overwhelming. And while connection is easier than ever, so is isolation. It’s strange how we can feel so alone when we’re more connected than any previous generation.
The truth is, parenting in the digital age brings a mix of both progress and pressure. We have access to more information than ever, but also more judgement. We’re raising children in a world that moves fast, where the internet never sleeps and advice is everywhere—even when it’s not asked for.
That’s why it’s important to take a step back sometimes and remember that not all advice fits every family. That your journey is your own. That whether you’re neurodiverse, raising a neurodiverse child, or both—you are allowed to find your own rhythm without comparison clouding your view.
We might not be able to go back to the slower days of dial-up, but we can slow down how we consume digital content and be mindful of the effect it has on our parenting and mental health.
Let’s give ourselves permission to be present—not perfect.
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References:
Livingstone, S., & Blum-Ross, A. (2020). Parenting for a Digital Future: How Hopes and Fears about Technology Shape Children’s Lives. Oxford University Press. Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2021). Mental Health and the Internet Anna Freud Centre (2023). Being Online: Understanding the Impact on Young People and Families
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