About Mother Knows Tech

My Story

Technology has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I grew up alongside the early internet and home gaming consoles – a strange, exciting time to be a curious kid. Weekends were often spent deep in video games. I’ll admit I faked being sick once or twice just to stay in bed playing Pokémon Silver on my Game Boy. I joined forums and fan sites for The Powerpuff Girls, where PPGWorld felt like a little corner of the internet that was mine. I chatted with strangers on early chat sites, learning how online spaces worked long before anyone really knew what the rules should be.

There was one message that came through loud and clear: don’t give out your personal details. I took that seriously – I rarely used my real name, and “Phoebe” became my go-to online identity. Like many teenagers, though, I didn’t always get everything right. I met people online and, yes, even met some of them in real life. One of those people has been my partner for over 15 years. Another became a lifelong friend.

Those experiences shaped how I see technology now – not as something that’s purely good or bad, but as something powerful, nuanced, and deeply human.

Professionally, I’ve worked in tech since 2014. I started as a website developer at a digital agency, and in 2017 moved into software development, where I’ve stayed ever since. Tech has always been something I enjoy building and understanding.

Then I became a parent – and everything shifted.

When my first child was born in 2018, the time I once spent coding side projects or gaming disappeared overnight. Like most new parents, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to figure it out. By the time my second child arrived in 2022, I felt more confident… until toddlerhood arrived with full force. She’s strong-willed, curious, and completely herself – and while that can be exhausting, it’s also something I want to protect.

As a parent, I’ve never believed in “no screens ever.” Our family enjoys technology together. My son loves video games, just like his dad and I do, and playing together is something we genuinely value. My daughter cycles through Paw Patrol and Moana with great enthusiasm. Screens exist in our home – but they’re not unlimited, unmanaged, or unquestioned.

I’m especially mindful of platforms like YouTube, because I know how quickly the internet can go from fun to overwhelming. Not everything needs to be banned, but not everything deserves equal access either.

For a long time, I didn’t realise how much my own tech use was affecting me. I was a heavy social media user, especially on Twitter. I told myself I was staying informed – and in some ways, I was – but the constant noise left me mentally drained and distracted. Eventually, I noticed I wasn’t as present with my kids as I wanted to be. That realisation was uncomfortable, but important.

Leaving Twitter was one of the best decisions I’ve made. These days, I use Facebook to stay connected with family, and I save YouTube for after the kids are asleep. Scaling back hasn’t made my life smaller – it’s made it calmer.

All of this is why Mother Knows Tech exists.

I created this space to help parents make thoughtful, realistic decisions about technology without fear, pressure, or perfection. The digital world is constantly changing, and it’s easy to feel like you’re already behind. My role isn’t to overwhelm you with research or tell you you’re doing it wrong – it’s to help you understand what actually matters, what doesn’t, and where “good enough” really is good enough.

You don’t need to control everything. You don’t need to keep up with everything.
You just need support that fits real life.

That’s what I’m here for.