About Mother Knows Tech

My Story

I’ve been fascinated by technology for as long as I can remember. I grew up during the dawn of the internet and home gaming consoles – an exciting time to be a curious kid.

Weekends were often spent immersed in video games. I’ll admit, I even faked being sick a few times just so I could stay in bed all day playing Pokémon Silver on my Game Boy. I joined forums and fansites for my favorite cartoon show ‘The Powerpuff Girls‘ – where PPGWorld became my little home on the internet. I chatted with complete strangers on teenchat.com, exploring the wild, wacky, and wonderful digital world that was the early internet.

There was one rule that was drilled into me: “Don’t give out your personal details.” And I took it seriously. I rarely used my real name online – “Phoebe” was my go-to alias. Still, like many curious teenagers, I didn’t always follow the rules. I even met up with a stranger I’d met online… more than once. One of those strangers has been my partner for over 15 years, and another became my best friend.

My professional journey in tech began in 2014 when I landed my first job as a website developer at a digital agency. In 2017, I transitioned into software development, and that’s where I’ve stayed ever since.

Then in 2018, everything changed. I became a mother. My time once filled with games and coding side projects was now dedicated to bottle feeds and parenting books. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to learn. By the time my daughter was born in 2022, I felt more confident – until toddlerhood arrived. She’s an absolute firecracker, and while it can be exhausting, I wouldn’t dream of dimming that spark.

As a parent, I’ve tried to be mindful of how much screen time my kids get, though it’s definitely a challenge as they grow older. I’ve never been a “no screens at all” type of parent. My son loves video games, just like his dad and I do, and we enjoy playing together. My daughter is currently obsessed with Paw Patrol and Moana, so those movies are on heavy rotation in our house. But I do limit YouTube, knowing firsthand how quickly the internet can become overwhelming and even harmful.

I used to be a heavy social media user – Twitter was my biggest weakness. I’d scroll for hours, convincing myself I was staying informed about the world. And in some ways, I was. But the constant stream of “information” left me feeling mentally drained. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t fully present with my kids, and that was a wake-up call. The very technology I’d always loved was turning me into someone I didn’t want to be.

So, I made the decision to quit Twitter, and it’s one of the best things I’ve done.

These days, I only use Facebook to stay in touch with extended family, and I save YouTube for after the kids are asleep. Scaling back my own tech use has made me a more present and joyful parent.

Knowing how deeply the internet once affected me makes me more vigilant about how my children will engage with it. I want to stay one step ahead,not just to keep them safe from online threats or manipulative advertising, but also to protect their mental well-being. It’s easy to miss signs of distress when so much happens behind a screen. By staying engaged in their digital world, I can maintain a strong connection with them and help them feel safe and supported.

That’s why I created Mother Knows Tech – a space where I can combine my experience in technology and parenting to support others. The digital world is constantly evolving, and it can be confusing and overwhelming. My hope is to help others navigate it with confidence and care.