Post-separation Parenting Apps as Tools for Control and Resistance

Area of Science:

• Family Law
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• Post-separation coparenting with a domestic violence perpetrator is a common challenge for victim-survivors.
• Parenting apps are recommended for managing communication but their role in abusive dynamics is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how parenting apps facilitate or resist coercive control in post-separation abusive dynamics.
• To understand the experiences of separated mothers using these apps.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with 18 separated mothers.
• Analysis of app use within the context of domestic and family violence.

Main Results:

• The record-keeping functions of parenting apps are central to negotiating control and resistance.
• App use is shaped by the legal settings in which it is implemented.
• Victim-survivors actively resist coercive control through app interactions.

Conclusions:

• Parenting apps can inadvertently perpetuate coercive control.
• Understanding the interplay between technology, legal frameworks, and user experiences is crucial.
• Strategies are needed to mitigate risks and support victim-survivors using these technologies.