Net knows best for modern mums

Modern motherhood is as much characterised by social networks and online communities as traditional coffee mornings and conversations across the washing line, according to research out today from Post Office Broadband.

The new research, ‘Keeping Mums Connected’ shows that every year, the average online mum chats to 24 online friends who they have never met in person, and that 83 per cent of mums use the internet - 17 per cent more than women in general.

Social networking sites and forums are giving mothers the chance to converse openly about sensitive matters - a new trend which has coined these online parents ‘Anonymums’.

Faye Mingo from parenting club Bounty, commented: “Online social networks and forums offer mums an anonymity that allows them to be candid and frank about the challenges of motherhood without fear of condemnation or embarrassment.

“Motherhood can be a daunting prospect and women have always been dependent on friends and family to provide a support network.

“Now we’re seeing these circles of influence grow as women share their problems and experiences with people in the same situation – from choosing baby names to coping with post-natal depression, women are finding additional support and advice thanks to the internet.”

Internet usage among mums is highest in East Anglia, with 91 per cent of logging on in the last year, compared to the lowest areas of uptake in the North East of England (75 per cent) and Yorkshire and the Humber (74 per cent). The national average is 83 per cent.

The report also showed that mums are using the net for other activities to keep themselves connected to friends and family: 25 per cent of mums use the internet to share photographs (compared to 18 per cent of all UK women), 29 per cent bank online (22 per cent of all UK women), and 19 per cent use online auction sites (11 per cent of all UK women).

Hugh Stacey, head of broadband at the Post Office, added: “The internet offers a wide range of information, advice and interaction opportunities for parents. This research shows that mums are getting more out of the net than the average female web user – be it emailing friends and family, buying and selling baby goods, or sharing photos.

“The internet is providing mums with a critical link to information and advice in the outside world as well as providing a quick and easy way to complete every day tasks. For many mums, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without it!”

Post Office Broadband is a reassuringly easy-to-use service with national coverage and one price - wherever you live. It offers up to 8mb per second connection speed and you can pay for the service in cash at any Post Office branch nationwide, an option not offered by any other internet provider.

In addition, 3.8 million mothers a week visit a Post Office, a useful one-stop-shop on the high street for mums, with services including mobile phone top ups, bill payments, savings and Child Trust Fund information

Top searches include:

Mums-to-be:
Gender predictor
Baby names
Calculating due dates
Twins/pregnancy with twins
Maternity rights

General search topics
Recipes
Best baby equipment/products
Potty training
Sharing photos
Chat forums

Medical issues
Childhood illnesses (e.g. chicken pox, colic, thrush)
Depression
Anaemia
Vaccines
Panic attacks