Post-Separation Parenting Apps: Potential benefits and risks in the context of family violence

Abstract

Parental separation and the subsequent management of shared parental responsibilities are well-documented flashpoints for conflict and family violence. A growing number of post-separation parenting applications (‘apps’) purport to help parents by improving communication and reducing conflict and stress. These apps generally comprise a messaging tool, shared calendar, expense tracker and the ability to export records. This article examines the evidence for the use of postseparation parenting apps in the context of family violence. Specifically, we review two related but disparate bodies of literature and observe that (a) research that spans post-separation digital communication, coparenting, and family violence is fragmented; (b) there is little empirical work on post-separation technology-facilitated abuse in the context of coparenting; (c) there are a range of risks that separated parents (especially women) are likely to be exposed to when using postseparation parenting apps; and (d) these risks — as well as potential benefits — need to be better understood by family law professionals and separated parents alike.