The Donaldson Adoption Institute | Untangling the Web II
involved parties. Adoption professionals also make use of online resources in helping clients during all stages of the adoption process and beyond.! ! This study provides valuable insights into all of the participants to adoption, whose experiences are vast and longstanding. The adoption journey for some birth parents in this study began more than 60 years ago and continues today. The Internet and social media have provided opportunities for birth parents, adoptive families and adopted persons that many believed would never be possible in regard to learning about adoption, establishing and maintaining connections, and accessing support and resources. !
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There is great concern, however, that some expectant parents are being exploited before adoption and are being enticed by online ads, email contact and pressure from for-profit adoption service providers to place their babies instead of receiving support on how to parent or getting counseling to ensure that adoption is truly what they want for their children. Adoptive parents can also be taken advantage of, be scammed out of thousands of dollars (or far more), and children may potentially be placed for adoption when they could have been successfully raised within their families of origin. The consequences of not providing sufficient services can be detrimental for everyone concerned.!
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While concerns were expressed about the impact of the Internet and social media on adoption, survey respondents overwhelmingly noted that the greatest benefit is the ability for adoption triad members to establish and maintain contact. Use of social media, especially Facebook, has allowed all parties to adoption to feel more a part of each other’s everyday lives, without the sometimes emotional consequences that can result from in-person contact, or as a supplement to an already existing connection. An adopted person noted:!
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“I think it [the Internet and social media] creates a less stressful and more informal means for relationships to develop naturally following reunions. Before the internet it was just much more difficult as there was little that could be done but direct contact and hard to develop the little connections that build familial links.”!
Summary of Findings from this Study of over 2,000 Respondents: Use of the Internet and Social Media!
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The Internet and social media are widely used, especially after adoption. All groups recognized their incredible reach, ease of use and efficiency.!
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The data strongly support that the benefits of the Internet outweigh the risks and challenges, and that both are important parts of how adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents live their lives related to adoption.!
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The Internet provides affiliation and community in ways that sustain and support those who are grappling with issues related to adoption or are seeking connections with others in similar situations. !
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