Social Media and Adoption

Today, most individuals use some form of social media—whether it be Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, etc. However, it's also a new forum for those who are pursuing adoption. These social media networks now allow prospective adoptive parents to find their future child's birth mother, birth father, or other relatives. Before choosing to get in touch with the birth family, there are some things you should consider.  You need to consult with your adoption agency and ask if communicating via social networks is acceptable. Some adoption agencies do not allow birth mothers and adoptive parents to socialize outside of their accepted means.

The social media recommendations below are designed to help you and your partner decide whether or not to pursue communication with your child's mother and father. Social media sites are incredible tools being used by individuals all over the world for communication. You may feel like it's okay to speak with your adopted child's birth mother, but consider for a moment how she may feel. Perhaps she isn't ready to get in touch with you just yet;  on the other hand, she may have been waiting for you to say something first.

A Few Guidelines for Adoptive Parents and the Birth Family

1. Before you start looking for information online, share your thoughts with your spouse, adoption agency, and any other members affiliated with the adoption. Doing so may eliminate any regrets further on down the road.

2. Discuss your plans for communication with your adoption attorney/agency representative. The adoption attorney and/or agency has many experiences working with the Internet and adoption jointly and may be able to alert you to certain risks associated with contacting the birth family of your child.

3. If you already use social media sites, you need to think about what information you have shared or regularly share on your page. Is this information that you want the mother or father of your adopted child to see?

4. If you aren't already a member of a social media site, you should familiarize yourself with one and learn how to use it. Discover what tools are available on the site and learn what information will be shared about you with “friends” you add.

5. Social media sites allow for instant communication. Is this something you are ready for? The birth family of your child may frequently ask about the child and you may not be ready to communicate on a regular basis just yet.

6. E-mail messages are more private and direct. This may be a great alternative for individuals who think that too much information would be shared using a social media site.

7. You should be careful not to share any information about the birth family on your social media site to avoid misinterpretations or upsetting someone.

These are just a few social media guidelines to follow when thinking about communicating with your child's birth family. Please contact Radis Adoptions for more information regarding communication with the birth mother and father.