Post-Separation Parenting Apps in the Context of Family Violence: Harm Minimisation versus Harm Facilitation

Abstract

Post-separation parenting apps are designed for separated parents to use as a dedicated space for child-related communication and organisation. Their enhanced record-keeping features often lead to recommendations for their use within the context of family law and they are likely to appeal to victim/survivors of family violence. However, concerns have also been raised about their potential misuse by perpetrating parents. Using responses to an online survey about post-separation parenting apps, this study explores the tension between the harms and benefits of app use under these circumstances. Data were examined from 33 mothers who reported experiencing family violence via parenting apps. Comparative methods were used to contrast those who endorsed beneficial outcomes from app use with those whose outcomes were detrimental (net-benefit case group [n = 24] vs net-detriment case group [n = 9], respectively). Overall, mothers in the net-benefit case group reported a shorter time since separation (M = 3 years) and fewer experiences of app misuse by the other parent. For these mothers, apps worked to minimise harmful perpetrator conduct by deterring and/or capturing abusive behaviours and affording containment and boundary setting around interactions. By contrast, those in the net-detriment case group were separated longer (M = 6.9 years) and reported a higher incidence of app misuse and fear. These participants experienced a range of app-facilitated harms centred on perpetrators’ false narratives and manipulation. These results suggests that while post-separation parenting apps may be useful harm-minimisation tools for many victim/survivors of post-separation family violence, they are not a panacea for parenting communication in all such contexts – particularly where there is entrenched coercive control.